This bi-annual competition explores critical contemporary issues related to freedom of expression, censorship, race, and representation inspired by the comics collection in the McHenry Special Collections library, with a special focus on the Gunderson/Coha comic collection. The award/class is led by a nominated faculty member, based on proposals to ARI. Awarded faculty are given one release time to develop this class. Faculty run the comics competition, select winning students and teach an independent study class to awardees. Nominated students receive a cash prize. Selected student work is published in a limited edition comic alongside contemporary comic artists and displayed in an exhibition at McHenry library Special Collections.

2022 Cohort Alumni:

Aaron Mulenga (History of Art and Visual Culture)

Stella Brown from (Art)

Milo Halperin (Art)

Ellory Erecius(Art major/Education minor)

Elizabeth Hatch (Art) 

Pichy Jumpholwong (Art and Design; Games and Playable Media)

Emily Tran (Art and Design; Games and Playable Media)

Isabella Dennis (Psychology)

Serena Strickland (English Literature)