Case's column, published in The Review last May, was written in response to a controversial “South of the Border” party held off-campus by UD students. The party sparked tension on campus, and Case said that his passion on the subject of racism and how it influenced all the UD students spurred him to write the column.
“What it comes down to is this: I wrote the column because I felt it affected the entire campus community, regardless of race. It's nice to win accolades but it's meaningless if I don't put my heart into what I'm writing,” Case said.
The subject was a touchy one, and Case said that the reaction he got to his column varied greatly. “Some thought I was blowing the situation out of proportion, while others thought I got it just right. I still stand by the things I said in the column.”
Though he admits that he didn't really gave racial awareness much thought when he first came to UD, Case says that working at a newspaper helped open his eyes to real life concerns and not just to trivial things like, “where the next house party is or when that final paper is due.”
The depth and seriousness of his columns have come a long way since his first article, a feature on “Lip Balm Anonymous,” which Case admits, “seemed silly at the time but it was my first byline, and I was thrilled. My dad had it framed and it hangs over my bed at home, in New Jersey.”
Case, who started writing for The Review his freshman year after being encouraged by former UD English Prof. Dennis Jackson, said that he was surprised by the award because he submitted the article “on a whim.”
"When I got the e-mail that I had won, I was stunned and then ecstatic, Case said. "The first thing I did was call my parents to share the news.”
Case said that he has no current graduate school plans, but added that he is sure that writing is in his future. “As of now, writing is my passion. I'm not sure if it'll be in journalism or what.”
Case is optimistic about the University administration's commitment to bettering race-relations on campus. “I will say that I've sat down and talked with President Harker and Vice President of Student Life Michael Gilbert on several occasions, and I believe they're genuine in wanting to generate healthy campus discussions of race and diversity and that should be commended.”
Click here to read Case's award-winning column.
Article by Adam Thomas
Photo by Tyler Jacobson