Three students were presented with the 2010 Jerry B. Jenkins Writer Awards on Wednesday, February 3, at Moody Bible Institute’s Founder’s Week conference. They were honored for their outstanding non-fiction essays regarding an issue or trend that affected their lives either positively or negatively.

First place went to Kirsten Ekstrand, sophomore Sacred Music major, for her essay Grandpa’s Last Lesson. Matthew Swale, senior Biblical Studies major, won second place for his piece Dual Fidelities. Third place was awarded to Elyse Thornburg, freshman Pre-counseling major, for her essay When the Music Fades.

The contest was created in 1999 to honor Jerry Jenkins’ legacy at Moody. He has served as an editor with MOODY Magazine, vice president for Moody’s publishing division and writer-at-large for the Institute. Jenkins currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

“Moody students have been blessed with many gifts and talents, including the ability to use language as an inspirational and encouraging communications tool,” said Karyn Hecht, advising faculty member for the contest and Professor of Communications at Moody. “This year we had 65 entrants, and the top three, whom we honored today, truly deserve to win for their ability to capture life and the goodness of God through words.”