Marquette's First-year English Program Wins National Certificate of Excellence Released: Dec. 15, 2005 MILWAUKEE- Marquette’s First-year English Program has been awarded the Conference on College Composition and Communication’s Writing Program Certificate of Excellence for 2005-06. Established in 2004, the award is presented to up to 20 writing programs each year. The First-year English Program was cited for its “excellent work” in imaginatively addressing the needs and opportunities of its students, instructors and locale; offering exemplary ongoing professional development for faculty of all ranks; treating contingent faculty respectively, humanely and professionally; using current best practices in the field; using effective, ongoing assessment and placement procedures; modeling diversity; having appropriate class size; and having an administrator with academic credentials in writing. “In particular,” according to the citation, “the Selection Committee found Marquette’s program exemplary for its integration into its university community, with significant outreach to disciplines across campus; its particular sensitivity to diversity issues and attempt to create a writing program that contributes to social good; and its attempt to base programmatic effectiveness on student writers and writing.” “This award reflects the First-year English teaching staff's dedication to student learning as well as their creative efforts in teaching students to read, write, speak and listen,” says Dr. Krista L. Ratcliffe, associate professor of English and director of the program. Recipients will be honored at a conference in Chicago in March.  For more information interested media should contact Anne Broeker in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Office of Marketing and Communication Contacts Anne Broeker Senior Media Relations Specialist Phone: (414) 288-0286 Send e-mail