Departmental Awards

Abrahms Prize for Fiction

Awarded to a senior English major who has demonstrated outstanding writing achievement. Students may submit up to three pieces of writing.

Sally Abrahms Prize for Non Fiction

Awarded to an English major who has demonstrated outstanding writing achievement. Students may submit up to three pieces of creative nonfiction, journalism, or essay (not critical essays).

Benjamin T. Marshall Prize

Awarded for the best original poem

Charles B. Palmer Prize

Awarded for best poem or group of poems (up to 5 poems) by any student. Student need not be an English major.

Henrietta O. Rogers Prize

Awarded for best poem or group of poems.

Hamilton M. Smyser Prize

Awarded for the best short story written by an undergraduate. Student need not be an English major to enter. Students should submit no more than two stories.

Gerda Taranow Prize

Awarded to an English major for excellence in an advanced or intermediate Shakespeare course.

John Edwin Wells Prize

Awarded to a senior English major for work in the field of English distinguished for clarity of thought and judgment.

Elizabeth Kennedy Fund*

* There is no specific award; however this endowed fund provides money for some of the other prizes, and the Elizabeth Kennedy Fund is acknowledged.

Sarah Ensign Cady Scholarship Fund

Awarded for reading English aloud in a clear, meaningful way. Any student may register with the English department for the competition.