MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to announce the second annual Loie Bunse Prize for Nature Writing winners, which recognizes exceptional student writing that reflects a deep engagement with the natural world.
First prize was awarded to Malia Vican, a junior majoring in psychology with minors in writing and literature. The events in her narrative occurred in her hometown, Cordova, a small coastal community in southeastern Alaska.
Second-prize winner Sadie Latimer is a third year English major who has “recently discovered a love for poetry.” She grew up in Lebanon, Oregon, where she and her family continue to enjoy hiking the nearby trails of McDowell Creek Falls. She also reads thriller novels and sings in WOU’s a cappella club.
The Loie Bunse Prize for Nature Writing is made possible through the generous support of Meta and Garth Bunse. Garth Bunse was also a final judge who shared praise for both pieces.
Read the award winners’ narratives.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.