Six-word stories and first graduate certificate highlight Gerontology event

A freshman Exercise Science major took first place among nearly 60 responses to McDaniel’s Center for the Study of Aging challenge to capture the essence of older adults in just six words, and a graduate student was awarded the Center’s first post-baccalaureate certificate during a recent open house.

The writing contest found its inspiration in the story – arguably urban legend or fact – that Ernest Hemingway claimed his best work was a six-word story: “For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.”

Winners were announced April 20 during the Center’s open house, when McDaniel’s first Gerontology post-baccalaureate certificate was awarded to Sunny Moon, who is studying for her M.S. in Gerontology. McDaniel offers an undergraduate minor, a graduate certificate and a master’s degree in Gerontology. In May, six students will graduate with a minor in Gerontology and three students will receive their post-baccalaureate certificates.

McDaniel College Center for the Study of Aging directors Diane Martin (far left) and Alva "Buzz" Baker (far right) with the first post-baccalaureate Gerontology certificate recipient Sunny Moon and Graduate and Professional Studies Dean Henry Reiff.

Students from more than 20 different undergraduate majors and four graduate programs submitted entries to the writing contest. The male-female ratio of the students submitting entries was nearly even, with only slightly more men entering the contest than did women. Entrants spanned all levels of undergraduates – from freshmen to seniors – and included 10 graduate students.

The winners of this year’s contest are:

First place: “Minds grow, bodies wither, souls remain” by Sean McGarry, freshman Exercise Science major.

Second place: “Well worn, well loved, well living” by Ann Campbell, graduate student in the M.L.A. program.

Third place: “Wisdom grows and true age shows” by Mason Goldbach, freshman Exercise Science major.

Honorable Mention: “Naïve ignorance transforms into sophisticated understanding” by Tim Hall, senior Exercise Science major.

Contest judges were Dr. Alva “Buzz” Baker and Dr. Diane Martin, director and academic director respectively of The Center for the Study of Aging, and Lindsay Waqar, McDaniel sophomore and 2010 president of the Gerontology Club.