RELEASED: Jan. 2, 2003

DANVILLE, KY—Centre College graduate Valarie Ziegler, Class of '76, was recently selected as the winner of the first ever Trinity Prize. The award came with a $10,000 cash prize, and the Trinity Press International (TPI) will publish her book.

Ziegler, a professor of religious studies at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., was chosen for her biography titled: Diva Julia: The Public Romance and Private Agony of Julia Ward Howe.

"We're very pleased that the winning entry presents a scholarly study of this very interesting historical figure," said TPI Editorial Director Henry L. Carrigan, Jr. "Dr. Ziegler's research and writing have created an intriguing biography that will be of interest to a broad audience."

The Trinity Prize was created to encourage and recognize writers and scholars who are working in the early stages of their careers. TPI solicited writing that offered new perspectives on a broad range of religion-related issues including biblical studies, cultural studies, ethics and theology.

Ziegler's entry profiles Howe, celebrated in the 19th century as the author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic and as the inventor of Mother's Day.

Ziegler, a native of Alexandria, Ky., graduated with highest honors from Centre and received her Master of Divinity degree at Yale University. She earned her doctorate in religious studies from Emory University.

She has written books, monographs, articles and book chapters. Ziegler also wrote C6-H0: The Centre-Harvard Game of 1921 describing Centre’s famous football upset.

- end -

Back to News and Events Home Page