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Westminster College Student Creates Game in Washington D.C. that Wins International Award

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Posted on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

While at his summer internship at the National Archives in Washington D.C., Andrew Henley, junior history major at Westminster College, won an international award for his creation of a Lewis and Clark Board Game.

To begin the game, the player rolls a die. That player then moves forward based on the number rolled. Upon landing on a space, the player is faced with either an obstacle or a good fortune, much like the experiences encountered in Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s expedition west. To make the game realistic, Henley used real obstacles and advances, which he found while reading through transcripts Lewis and Clark’s diaries. The basis of the game is based loosely on Chutes and Ladders.

“With the help of fellow interns, supervisors and the design team, a little idea was transformed into a tangible learning tool for the children and families who visit the National Archives,” said Henley.

Henley’s idea, which was submitted along with over 6,000 other entries, was recognized as a finalist for the 21st Annual Communicator Award of Distinction. Behind the Communicator Awards is the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA), which is dedicated to embracing the progress and evolving nature of traditional and interactive media.

“I was thrown into D.C.’s culture, which I had never been in before. I was meeting people from across the world and experiencing other cultures, while also learning about my own,” said Henley. “I am thankful for the opportunities and guidance I was given in my search for a future career.”

Henley is a son of John Henley and Mary Ann Henley and a graduate of Mohawk Area High School.

For more information about this award or about the history program at Westminster College, contact Dr. Timothy Cuff, professor of history, at cufft@westminster.edu or (724) 946-6152.