Humanities Aren’t Ancient History: Students Awarded for Essay Work
Students honoured with James Middleton Prize for essays in the Humanities
The Humanities are the cornerstone of any university education, whether you engage with them directly through a class in Ancient History & Classics, Philosophy, English, and History or through the liberal arts programming Trent is known for. On October 14, James Middleton honoured two Trent students for their humanities essays with the James Middleton Award and a gift of $600.
Since 2004, Mr. Middleton has awarded two students a year with this prestigious prize, which aims to bring recognition and celebration to Trent University’s Humanities programming and excellence in undergraduate work.
Both winners met Mr. Middleton, the benefactor of the prize, and Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent, to celebrate their achievement prior to a luncheon at Alumni House.
“To be recognized at a university whose values are so aligned with my own, and where the community is among the best, is more than I could ever ask for. I am truly honoured,” said Adam Ryan, a fourth year Philosophy student who won the Middleton Prize for Philosophy for his piece Aristotle – Should We Wish for Our Friends to Win the Lottery?
“All undergraduate students can appreciate the hard work put into the research and presentation of an essay thesis. To receive a grade worthy of that effort is reward enough,” said a third year Ancient History and Classics student Rylan Auger when asked about how winning the Middleton Prize for his essay Romanizing Epicurs: Separating the Poet Lucretius from his Greek Predecessor. “To receive a respected award such as the Middleton Essay Prize is naturally an honour in itself, and the prize money is a small plus in comparison.”
For more information about the James Middleton Prize, and to read both award-winning essays, visit https://www.trentu.ca/dean/prizes.php