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Beginning December 1, 2023 - Apply for the Department of English Writing Awards and Scholarships through .  Through ScholarshipUniverse you will be able to complete any required application and submit any required documents. 

The application deadline is February 15th at 8:00 am.  

WRITING AWARDS

The Department of English awards annual student prizes in creative writing, critical writing, and writing in freshman English classes. Competitions are held each year in January and February.  **Attention College Credit Plus (CCP) Students - Per policy, You are NOT eligible to receive a monetary award or monetary scholarship while enrolled as a CCP student.  You MAY enter a submission and if chosen, you will receive a certificate of award and recognition at our Awards Ceremony in April.**

Department of English Writing Award descriptions:

Perryman Writing Award

The Virginia Perryman Awards in Freshman Writing are presented by the Department of English. Any ºÚÁÏÍø freshman (0-29 credit hours) may submit one piece of writing in any genre (essay, fiction, poetry or drama). Six prizes will be awarded, three for students enrolled at the Kent Campus and three for students enrolled at Kent State regional campuses. The prizes are as follows: first place $50.00 (two awards); second place $35.00 (two awards); and third place $25.00 (two awards). In addition to the financial awards, winning authors will be honored at the English Department Awards ceremony in the spring.

Dubois Critical Writing Award

The DuBois Critical Writing Awards are presented by Sigma Tau Delta, Xi Mu Chapter, for outstanding critical writing on a literary subject. ºÚÁÏÍø sophomores, juniors, or seniors are eligible to compete for two cash awards: first place $50.00**; second place $25.00**. In addition to the financial awards, winning authors will be honored at the English Department Awards ceremony in the spring.

Engleman Creative Writing Award

The Engleman Award is presented by the Department of English to a ºÚÁÏÍø sophomore, junior, or senior for superior creative writing (fiction, poetry, drama or other creative composition). The winning author will receive $75.00**. The winning entry will be honored at the English Department Awards ceremony in the spring.

SCHOLARSHIPS

English majors with an overall GPA of 3.5 or better (or a GPA of 3.75 in English classes) are invited each spring to apply for a number of awards. As many as ten undergraduate scholarships are awarded each year. All awards and scholarships are presented at the Department of English annual Awards Ceremony, held in April each year.

Department of English Scholarship descriptions:

W. Leslie Garnett Endowment Income

This scholarship honors W. Leslie Garnett, a professor of English at ºÚÁÏÍø for over 25 years who died in 1992 at age 98. She is remembered as an outstanding classroom teacher and a respected contributor to international education. Applicants must have sophomore or junior standing and overall GPA of 3.5 (or 3.75 in English courses). Students with an interest in international affairs or education are especially encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit the following: English Major Scholarship Application, Letter of application indicating the student’s career goals and how they have been advanced by study of English language and literature and Letter of recommendation (normally from professors in the English Department).

Richard A. Toerne Endowment Income​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹

These scholarships honor Richard Toerne, a professor of English at ºÚÁÏÍø and faculty member from 1961 to 1984. Applicants should be English majors who have an overall GPA of 3.5 (or 3.75 in English courses) and have taken a minimum of one required course in the major.

Applicants must submit the following: English Major Scholarship Application, Letter of application indicating the student’s career goals and how they have been advanced by study of English language and literature and Letter of recommendation (normally from professors in the English Department).

Gary D. Wymer Memorial Scholarship in Literature

This scholarship honors Gary D. Wymer, a 1976 graduate of ºÚÁÏÍø and a life-long learner. He was an avid reader, and he maintained a special appreciation for literature throughout his life. Applicants should be English majors who have an overall GPA of 3.5 (or 3.75 in English courses) and have taken a minimum of one required course in the major.

Applicants must submit the following: English Major Scholarship Application, Letter of application indicating the student’s career goals and how they have been furthered by study of the English language and literature, Include a statement concerning financial need in your letter, and Letter of recommendation (normally from professors in the English Department).

Mildred C. Steiskal Memorial Award

This scholarship honors Mildred Steiskal, a 1933 graduate of ºÚÁÏÍø who returned to the University to complete a master’s degree in 1965. She taught in the Austintown, Ohio, school system for 20 years. After retiring, she was active in the arts community in the Youngstown area. Steiskal recipients normally qualify for financial aid, as this is a need-based award. Applicants should be English majors who have an overall GPA of 3.5 (or 3.75 in English courses) and have taken a minimum of one required course in the major.

Applicants must submit the following: English Major Scholarship Application, Letter of application indicating the student’s career goals and how they have been furthered by study of the English language and literature, include a statement concerning financial need in your letter, and Letter of recommendation (normally from professors in the English Department),

Leoda D. Stockdale Scholarship

This scholarship was endowed by Leoda (Lee) D. Stockdale, who was a member of the English Department for twelve years, from 1971 to 1983. When she retired at the age of 70, in June 1983, she had served long and well as administrative assistant to the chairperson of the English Department. Applicants should be English majors who have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and have taken a minimum of one required course in the major.

Applicants must submit the following: English Major Scholarship Application, Letter of application indicating the student's career goals and how they have been advanced by study of English language and literature, and Letter of recommendation (normally from professors in the English Department).

Howard P. Vincent Memorial Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to honor the memory of the late Howard P. Vincent, Emeritus Professor of English. Applicants should be English majors who have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and have taken a minimum of one required course in the major.

Applicants must submit the following: English Major Scholarship Application, Letter of application indicating the student’s career goals and how they have been advanced by study of English language and literature and Letter of recommendation (normally from professors in the English Department).

Dr. Thelma M. and Wilfred J. Anderson Renaissance Scholarship

This scholarship was endowed by Thelma M. Anderson, who earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in English from ºÚÁÏÍø and was a faculty member at the Stark Campus from 1969 to 1979. During her Kent State education and teaching career, she developed a lifelong love of early literature and culture, medieval to Renaissance. She died in 2006 at the age of 96. Applicants must demonstrate an academic interest in the study of the Renaissance, defined as the historical period of 1300-1660 in England, Europe, or other regions, as well as the nature or influence of ideas from that time. The applicant's studies may be centered in any discipline (for example, English, History, Modern and Classical Language Studies, Philosophy, Art History, Musicology, or Theatre). Undergraduate or graduate students may apply.

Applicants must submit the following: Letter of application official transcript and the name and department of at least one KSU faculty member who can speak to your interest and talent in Renaissance studies.

OTHER DEPARTMENT AWARDS

Dr. John Tamplin Fund for the Writing Commons

The Tamplin Award is given annually by the Writing Commons to recognize the excellent work of Writing Commons tutors and to honor the outstanding contributions of Writing Commons tutors to the intellectual life of ºÚÁÏÍø.

Donna Zurava Memorial Award

The Zurava Award is in memory of Donna Zurava, who showed exceptional humanity, humor, and courage. Donna Zurava passed away shortly after completing her Writing Minor and B.A. in English. The award is given to a student who completes the Writing Internship Program and submits a portfolio for the previous academic year. For more information on completing the Writing Internship Program and a portfolio, please contact the Department of English at english@kent.edu or 330-672-2676.

For details or questions, please contact Sheri McMahon, Administrative Assistant.