Most of these prizes are awarded on the basis of writing samples.  Two substantially endowed prizes are different and deserve your special attention.  Olin Fellowships support summer projects, often but not always related to a senior thesis.  They offer a rare opportunity and can be used for travel, study, or independent research.  The department welcomes well-developed proposals.  The Winchester Fellowships are for graduate study in literature.  Please keep them in mind even if you don’t plan to go on to graduate school immediately.  Seniors AND ALUMNI are eligible. 

Applications

Entries must be double-spaced, on one side of the page only. You may submit no more than two entries (a total of 30 pages together) for each prize.

Applicants for Sonnenblick, Olin, and Winchester awards should read the detailed instruction sheets attached.

Submit your entry to the English Department office, Room 204, 294 High Street. On a separate sheet, please indicate which prize you are applying for, the title of your submission, your name, class, email address, cell phone number, post office box number, and Wesleyan ID number.

Unless otherwise indicated, all entries are due on the Wednesday following spring break, March 26, 2007, by 4:00 PM. 

Winners will be announced in early May.

WRITING PRIZES

COLE PRIZE: Established through the gift of George Henry Walker ‘81 in the memory of Charles Edward Cole. Awarded to the freshman who shows 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 for 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 the memory of Geraldine J. Murphy, 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. 

ANNIE SONNENBLICK WRITING AWARD:   Established by the family of the late Annie Sonnenblick '80.  The prize, awarded by the Writing Program, provides financial support for a junior who wishes to undertake an independent writing project during the summer between junior and senior years.  An information sheet describing the Sonnenblick Prize and the application process is below.  Applications are due Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at the office of Anne Greene, Director of Writing Programs, Downey House, room 207. 

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.

AN INVITATION TO JUNIORS

Wesleyan Writing Program’s

ANNIE SONNENBLICK WRITING AWARD

Applications due March 26, 2008

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 the 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, telephone 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 unofficial version will do); and

8)  names of one or two references: provide email address and telephone number.

Applications are due at Anne Greene’s office, Downey House, Room 207, by March 26, 2008 at 4:00 PM.  Write agreene@wesleyan.edu for more information.

Deliver applications to:

Anne Greene, Director of Writing Programs

Downey House, room 207

FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS

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. Work undertaken may be further study in an academic program, research or training in research methods, or creative writing.

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.

WESLEYAN WRITERS CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS: Several scholarships are available to students who wish to attend the one-week Wesleyan Writers Conference at the end of June. Entries should consist of a letter of application and work in one genre: fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. Applications are due March 26, 2008.. 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.

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

CAMP PRIZE: Established in 1905 by the Board of Trustees in memory of Samuel T. Camp, Trustee 1880-1903. Awarded 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 the best thesis submitted to the English Department. Candidates are nominated by their thesis advisors.

WINCHESTER FELLOWSHIPS

The English Department awards Winchester Fellowships for graduate work in literature. 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 are described below. The deadline of March 26, 2008 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:

a) a letter describing how you plan to use the fellowship

b) a copy of your Wesleyan transcript and transcript(s) for any graduate work
you have completed 

c) 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.

d) 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 26, 2008

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.

Awards will be announced in early May.

A report on your Olin project is due on the first day of classes in September.

Applications must include a copy of the Olin Fellowship application form.

Olin Fellowship Application 2008