Student Awards
Each year the English Department awards students for their achievements in Literature, Creative Writing and Journalism.
Walker Gilmer Prize For the junior or senior English major who is most outstanding in literature. Established in honor of Professor Emeritus of English Walker Gilmer, who taught at DePauw from 1963-1997.
The 2021-2022 winner of the Walker Gilmer Prize is Sophia Featherstone.
William G. Schoenhoff Award For the senior who, in the judgment of the Department of English, has achieved most in growth during his or her four years at DePauw. Established in memory of Mr. Schoenhoff by his parents.
The 2021-2022 winner of the William G. Schoenhoff Award is Mahogany Brim.
Elizabeth B. Powell Prize For a junior who exhibits outstanding ability in the area of written communications and usage of the English language. Established in 1987 by the friends and family of Mrs. Powell.
The 2021-2022 winners of the Elizabeth B. Powell Prize are Kaitlynn Franks and Lily Rutledge.
J. David Hogue (Class of 1921) Journalism Scholarship For a sophomore or junior with demonstrated ability and interest in the field of journalism. Established in memory of the distinguished journalist and editor by Mrs. J. David Hogue (Mildred Robinson, class of 1921) and Mrs. Harold Corneilsen (Margaret Ellen Hogue, class of 1956).
The 2021-2022 winner of the J. David Hogue (Class of 1921) Journalism Scholarship is Abigail McArthur-Self.
Roy and Anna Kennedy Prize in Creative Writing For the senior who has most distinguished himself or herself in creative writing and who shows great promise as an artist. Established by Adam Kennedy ('46) in honor of his parents.
The 2021-2022 winners of the the Roy and Anna Kennedy Prize in Creative Writing are Emma von Werder (Fiction) and Abel Bates (Nonfiction).
Judith Shakespeare Award for a junior or senior English Literature major exceptionally gifted in literary interpretation.
The 2021-2022 winner of the Judith Shakespeare Award is Sasha Taxter.
Chad Kostel Memorial Scholarship for a junior or senior who has a commitment to writing as a profession. Given in memory of Chad Kostel, a former student of the Department of English who went on to a career as a writer and editor. This award is presented in the spring to the recipients who will receive the prize the following academic year.
The 2021-2022 winners (for the 2022-2023 academic year) of the Chad Kostel Memorial Scholarship are Layla Brown-Clark, Kaitlynn Franks, Gabriela Guerrero and Esperanza Santana.
Mary Smith Hamer Journalism Prize for a sophomore or junior who has excelled in journalistic endeavors and who demonstrates promise for a career in journalism. Established in memory of Mary Smith Hamer ('70).
The 2021-2022 winner for the Mary Smith Hamer Journalism Prize is Huyen Anh Nguyen.
DeWitt Wallace-Readers Digest Print Journalism Award for juniors who have demonstrated a career interest in print journalism.
The 2021-2022 winners for the DeWitt Wallace-Readers Digest Print Journalism Award are Layla Brown-Clark and Madeline Harper.
Paul Query Prize in Poetry for a senior writing major who is an outstanding poet. The award also includes a special feature section in A Midwestern Review.
The 2021-2022 winner for the Paul Query Prize in Poetry is Trinity Rairdon.
Gilpin Prize in Dramatic Writing is given to a senior who is outstanding in writing.
The 2021-2022 winner of the Gilpin Prize in Dramatic Writing is Gavin Lancaster.
For a complete list of previous winners, including the Society of Professional Journalists Outstanding Graduate in Journalism Award which is no longer awarded, please click here.