Wesleyan
University
English Department and Writing Programs
PRIZES & FELLOWSHIPS
The English Department and Writing Programs offer prizes for writers
of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry as well as fellowships supporting
summer projects and graduate study. We encourage you to apply for these awards.
Ann duCille,
Henry Abelove, Anne Greene
English
Department and Writing Programs Prize Committee 2008-09
APPLICATION PROCESS
You will find descriptions of the prizes and fellowships below.
To apply
for the Cole, Connelly, Horgan, Murphy, Reed, and Wesleyan Fiction prizes,
please submit:
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A cover sheet that includes:
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the name of
prize for which you are applying
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the title of your
submission
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your name, class
year, & Wes ID number
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your contact
Information: email address, cell phone number, post office box number.
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One copy of the piece of writing you are submitting:
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the submission must be
a clean copy, double-spaced.
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You may submit no more than two pieces (a total of
30 pages together) for each prize.
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If
appropriate, you may submit the same piece for more than one prize
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Your work will not be returned
Unless otherwise indicated, all entries are due on the Wednesday following
spring break, March 25, 2009 by 4:00 PM.
Deliver your submission to:
English Department
Office, Room 204
294 High Street (Downey House)
Winners will be announced in early May.
Applicants for Sonnenblick, Olin, and Winchester awards should read the detailed
instruction sheets that follow.
WRITING PRIZES
COLE
PRIZE:
Established through the gift of George Henry Walker '81 in the memory of
Charles Edward Cole. For the two first-year students who show the greatest
ability in fiction or non-fiction writing.
HERBERT LEE CONNELLY PRIZE: Given in 1980 by Mabel Wells Connelly
in the name of her husband, member of the class of 1909, and Alumni Secretary
1924-56. Supplemented by friends, relatives, and sons, Hugh Wells and Theodore
Sample '48, the fund provides income to be awarded annually to a deserving
undergraduate who demonstrates an interest in English literature and an unusual
ability in non-fiction writing.
HORGAN PRIZE:
Awarded by the Department of English in memory of Paul Horgan, former Professor
and Writer in Residence. Awarded to the student who has written the best short
story of the year.
GERALDINE J. MURPHY PRIZE: Established in memory of Geraldine J.
Murphy (1920-1990), Professor of English at Wesleyan. She was the first woman
hired as a full-time instructor at Wesleyan (1957), the first woman promoted to
a tenured position, and the first woman promoted to the title of full professor.
The prize is endowed by alumni of the Wesleyan Master of Arts in Teaching
program. Awarded to a student who has written an outstanding critical essay
that focuses on short fiction or novels.
SOPHIE REED PRIZE: Established in 1968 by Leon Reed and his sons,
S. Chadwick '41, and Dr. Victor Reed, in memory of Mrs. Sophie Reed, for the
best poem or group of poems.
WESLEYAN FICTION AWARD: Funded by a gift from Norman Mailer to
the Wesleyan Writing Programs, this award recognizes an outstanding piece of
fiction written by a Wesleyan student.
NEW:
SARAH HANNAH PRIZE:
Watch for information about this new prize in poetry, offered in memory of Sarah
Hannah, class of 1988, in association with the Academy of American Poets.
FELLOWSHIPS
OLIN FELLOWSHIPS: Founded in 1854 by the mother of Stephen Olin,
President 1839-41 and 1842-51. Later increased by gifts of Stephen Henry Olin,
Class of 1866 and Acting President 1922-23, and his wife. Awarded in
recognition of achievement in English. To support independent research or
creative writing. The fellowships are to be used for work in English outside
the Wesleyan course structure. Suitable projects may include, for example, study
in an academic program, research, training in research methods, or sustained
work on a piece of writing. Please see the information sheet that follows.
ANNIE SONNENBLICK WRITING AWARD:
Established by the family of the late Annie Sonnenblick '80. The award,
awarded by the Director of Writing Programs, provides financial support for a
junior who wishes to undertake an independent writing project during the summer
between junior and senior years. Please see the information sheet that follows.
WINCHESTER FELLOWSHIPS:
Established in 1938, in memory of Professor Caleb Thomas Winchester, by his
widow. For graduating seniors and recent graduates, to support graduate work in
literature or writing. Please see the information sheet that follows.
OTHER AWARDS OF INTEREST TO WRITERS
WESLEYAN WRITERS
CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS:
Several scholarships are available to students who wish to attend the one-week
Wesleyan Writers Conference, June 14th - 19th, 2009.
Applications should include of a letter explaining the applicant’s experience
and interests and a substantial sample of work in one genre: fiction,
non-fiction, or poetry. Applications are due
March 25, 2009.
For information, see
www.wesleyan.edu/writers or contact Anne Greene,
agreene@wesleyan.edu. Brochures are
available at Downey House, room 207. The conference also offers scholarships for
international students. Contact Anne Greene for details.
DEPARTMENT AWARDS
(Candidates are nominated by members of the faculty)
CAMP PRIZE:
Established in 1905 by the Board of Trustees in memory of Samuel T. Camp,
Trustee 1880-1903. For excellence in English Literature. No application
necessary. Awarded to the outstanding senior English major by vote of the
department.
DORCHESTER PRIZE: Established through the gift of Daniel
Dorchester IV, Class of 1874. Awarded for best thesis submitted to the English
Department. Candidates are nominated by their thesis advisors.
____________________________________________________________________________________
AN INVITATION TO JUNIORS
Wesleyan Writing Program’s
ANNIE SONNENBLICK WRITING AWARD
Applications due March 25, 2009
We welcome applications for the Annie Sonnenblick Writing Award, given annually
to a member of the junior class who shows unusual promise in creative writing.
The Sonnenblick family has established this award in memory of Annie Sonnenblick,
a member of the Wesleyan class of 1980, who took great pleasure in literature
and the creative arts. The winner will be a student whose interests and talents
reflect Annie Sonnenblick’s spirit.
Applicants should propose a writing project to be completed during the summer
between their junior and senior years. Previous winners have written short
fiction, collections of poetry, and nonfiction projects such as biographical
sketches and studies of places. The award provides funding of up to $1,500 to
support the project and the writer’s summer living expenses. The completed
project is due on the first day of the fall semester.
To Apply for this Writing
Award:
Submit four neatly packaged copies of the following material, each pack
with a cover sheet:
1) a cover sheet giving your name, campus box number, cell phone number, and
email address;
2) a personal statement introducing yourself and explaining your background and
interests;
3) a description of the writing project you will undertake, including brief but
specific comments about writers whose works are important to you;
4) a budget estimating the support you will need;
5) samples of your writing;
6) your resume;
7) a copy of your transcript (either the official or portfolio version); and
8) names of one or two references with their email addresses and telephone
numbers.
Applications are due at Anne Greene’s office, Downey House, room 207, by
March 25, 2009 at 4:00 PM. Write agreene@wesleyan.edu for more
information.
Deliver applications to:
Anne Greene, Director of Writing Programs
294 High Street
Downey House, room 207
__________________________________________________________________________
WINCHESTER FELLOWSHIPS
The English Department awards
Winchester Fellowships for graduate work in writing. The Fellowship is
particularly intended to support work for the Ph.D. You must already be
admitted to a graduate program in order to receive a fellowship. The
fellowship and the application procedure aredescribed below. The deadline of
March 25, 2009
is firm. All material, including letters of recommendation, should be in by
that date.
Winchester awards will be made to the
same person no more than twice, except in unusual circumstances
The Winchester
award is intended to be used as a substantial supplement to fellowships,
teaching assistantships, and the like, or to enable students to undertake
research or travel.
Policy: The
Department will consider your academic achievement at Wesleyan, your
potential for achievement in graduate school, and your financial
need. These three considerations may not be applied with equal weight
in every case, but all three will have some bearing on the award.
Procedure: If
you wish to apply for a Winchester Fellowship, please submit to the English
Department office an application which includes:
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a letter
describing how you plan to use the fellowship
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a copy of
your Wesleyan transcript and transcript(s) for any graduate work you have
completed
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a financial statement, listing expenses and income (other
fellowships, job,
savings, etc.) Please request a specific amount from the Winchester
Committee. Most awards are in the $2,000--$2,500 range.
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the names of two people who have agreed to supply letters of recommendation by
the deadline below. If you are a senior or have not begun graduate school,
these should be members of the English department. If you are already in
graduate school, at least one letter must be from a member of your graduate
department.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 25, 2009, 4:00 PM
________________________________________________________
OLIN FELLOWSHIPS
Olin
Fellowships are awarded to support independent research or creative writing.
The Fellowships are to be used for work in English outside the Wesleyan
course structure. Such work may consist of research (in preparation for your
thesis, for example) or training in research methods, study in an academic
program, or creative writing.
Olin Fellowships
are available to prospective sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Please note:
current seniors are not eligible. Fellowships will be awarded on the basis
of your project’s merit, your ability to carry it out, and in recognition of
both promise and achievement in English studies. Your financial need will be a
factor although it is not the primary consideration.
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Awards will be announced in early May.
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A report on your Olin project is due on the first day of classes in September.
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Applications must include a copy of the Olin Fellowship application form,
attached.
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Selected Olin
applications from previous years are on file at the English Department Office.
You are welcome to inspect them.
·
Return the completed application the English Department office, Room 204, 294
High Street, by
4:00 PM, March 25, 2009.
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