Janice M. Lauer Institutional Achievement Award in Rhetoric & Composition Doctoral Studies

HISTORY

Janice M. Lauer (1932-2021) was the Reece McGee Distinguished Professor of English at Purdue University, where she founded, directed, and taught in the graduate program in rhetoric and composition. In 1995, Janice Lauer conceived of and founded the Consortium of Doctoral Programs in Rhetoric and Composition. Professor Lauer received the 1998 CCCC Exemplar Award, co-authored two textbooks, coedited the composition entries to The Encyclopedia of English Studies and Language Arts, and published on invention, persuasive writing, classical rhetoric, and composition studies as a discipline. For thirteen years, she directed a national summer Rhetoric Seminar. She also chaired the College Section of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and served on the executive committees of CCCC, the MLA Group on the History and Theory of Rhetoric, and the Rhetoric Society of America. 

PURPOSE

Established in 2023, this award has dual purposes:

• To memorialize the long-time disciplinary impact of rhetoric and composition/writing studies scholar, Professor Emerita Janice M. Lauer, whose contributions have benefited doctoral programs in rhetoric and composition worldwide. 

• To recognize institutional achievements in doctoral education in rhetoric & composition/writing studies that exemplify Professor Lauer’s innovative spirit, scholarly grace, and professional persistence.