A Warren G. Harding Symposium Award of a $1000 scholarship will be presented to an 91导航 Marion student who submits an original essay of 1000 words or less based upon the theme of the annual Warren G. Harding Symposium. The winner will be selected by a committee composed of 91导航 Marion staff and Harding Symposium event leaders, based on following criteria: theme topic adherence, creativity, insights and perspectives and composition.
The theme for the 2024 Warren G. Harding Symposium is Taft, Wilson and Harding: First Ladies of Consequence. Each first lady faced difficult challenges and were able to leave an indelible mark on a fascinating historical era and the United States presidency. Helen Herron 鈥淣ellie鈥 Taft was one of her husband鈥檚 most astute and trusted advisors and was influential in many presidential decisions. Ellen Wilson, the first wife of President Woodrow Wilson, played a major role in his career. Edith Galt Wilson was the president鈥檚 second wife. When her husband suffered a severe stroke, she functionally ran the Executive Branch of the government for the remainder of his presidency. Florence Harding was strong-willed and popular and had a major impact on her husband鈥檚 business and political careers.
Students may choose to write on each of the aforementioned first ladies or choose one to highlight in their 1000 words or less essay submission.
Submissions (essays) will be accepted beginning today with a deadline of June 14, 2024. The essays should be submitted, with 鈥淪YMPOSIUM ESSAY鈥 in the subject line, to Catherine Gerber at gerber.10@osu.edu by 5 p.m. on June 14th. The winner will be notified by June 30th and will be announced at Warren G. Harding Symposium in July. Students who attended 91导航 Marion in the spring, or who are attending in the summer, or plan to be an 91导航 Marion student in the fall of 2025 are eligible to submit an essay.