Prizes

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The department offers a number of prizes for students who excel in their academic work. For further information on how to apply for these prizes, please see the Department Chair or the Associate Chair.

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The Rachel Sherwood Poetry Prize

To preserve the memory of Rachel Sherwood, her friends have established an annual prize to be awarded by the Northridge Review to the author of that poem judged to be the best published in the magazine during the academic year. The recipient, who must be a registered student for at least one semester during the year in which the poem is published, will be awarded $100. The funds for the award are administered by the Chair of the Department of English.

The Northridge Review Fiction Award

The Northridge Review Fiction Award is an annual prize to be awarded by the Northridge Review to the author of that short story judged to be the best published in the magazine during the academic year. The recipient, who must be a registered student for at least one semester during the year in which the story is published, will be awarded $100. The funds for the award are administered by the Chair of the Department of English.

The Oliver W. Evans Writing Prize

To commemorate Oliver W. Evans, his colleagues and friends have established an annual prize of $100 to be awarded to the author of the best piece of prose, critical or creative, submitted in an upper division English course during the academic year. Submissions will be nominated by the faculty, and the award will be made by a committee appointed annually by the Department of English.

The Harry Finestone Award

A prize of $750 will be given each year to the graduate student whose thesis is in the study of literature and is considered by a faculty panel as the most distinguished. The thesis must be nominated by the faculty director, and the faculty panel will evaluate the nominated theses on the following criteria: originality of concept; potential scholarly impact; logical, effective organization; and clarity, coherence, and elegance of prose style.

This award honors the memory of Harry Finestone who joined what was then San Fernando Valley State College, now California State University, Northridge, in 1962. Finestone established a reputation as a gifted teacher and innovative administrator. He was chair of the Department of English from 1966 to 1970 and then Dean of Academic Planning and Associate Vice President for Academic Programs from 1970 to 1983.

The Eva Latif Writing Prize in Children's Literature

To commemorate Eva Latif, her colleagues and friends offer an annual prize of $100 to the author of the best piece of writing, critical or creative, by a student on the subject of children's literature. Submissions will be nominated by the faculty, and the award will be made by a committee appointed annually by the Department of English.

The Richard Lid and Helen Lodge Scholarship

The Richard Lid and Helen Lodge Scholarship is an annual award of $500 given to a graduate student enrolled in English and/or Secondary English Education to help pay fees for graduate work. The award honors Richard Lid, Professor Emeritus of English and Helen Lodge, Professor Emeritus of Secondary Education, who were the founders of the Northridge Writing Project.

The applicant must concurrently be teaching in middle school or secondary school or be on sabbatical. The award is given in even numbered years by the Department of English and in odd-numbered years by the Department of Secondary Education.

The Robert apRoberts English Honors Essay Prize

To commemorate Robert apRoberts, Professor Emeritus and founder of the Honors Program, an annual prize of $250 is awarded to the English Honors student whose thesis is judged to be the best thesis submitted during that academic year. Honors students should submit a copy of their approved Honors thesis by early May to Professor Beth Wightman, the Director of the English Honors Program. Theses completed during either the fall or the spring semester of the current academic year are eligible. The award will be made by a committee appointed annually by the Department of English.

The Professor Mitchell Marcus Prize in English

In memory of Mitchell Marcus, a former Professor in the Department, a prize of $1,000 is awarded each spring semester to the graduate student who is best distinguished by excellence in her or his studies. Application guidelines are available in Sierra Tower 706 and are due in early May. The award will be made by a committee appointed annually by the Department of English.

The Northridge Writing Project Award

An annual award of $500 is given to a graduate student enrolled in English and Secondary English Education, to help pay fees for graduate work. The award, which alternates yearly between the Department of English and the College of Education, recognizes excellence in a secondary school teacher who is pursuing an MA in English, English Education, or Education. Applications and guidelines are available in Sierra Tower 706 and are due in early May. The award will be made by a committee appointed annually by either the Department of English or the College of Education.

The Annamarie Peterson Morley Award

In memory of Annamarie Peterson Morley, a former Professor in the Department, an annual award of $1,000 is given to a student currently enrolled as an English major at CSUN who plans to enter the teaching profession at any level. Application guidelines are available in Sierra Tower 706 and are due in early May. The award will be made by a committee appointed annually by the Department of English.

The George Morley/Annamarie Peterson Scholarship Award

In memory of George Morley and Annamarie Peterson Morley, a former Professor in the Department, an annual $1,000 scholarship award (once renewable) is given to an English major, graduate or undergraduate, who is in financial need. Application guidelines are available in Sierra Tower 706 and are due in early May. The award will be made by a committee appointed annually by the Department of English.

The Henry Van Slooten Scholarship in English

A prize of $500 will be given each year to a lower division student in an English class who is majoring or contemplating majoring on English and who writes an essay that best demonstrates her or his "passion for the English Language," as determined by a panel of judges.

The Mahlon Gaumer Award

In memory of Mahlon Gaumer, a former Professor in the Department, an annual prize of $500 established by his family will be awarded to a CSUN graduate student who is the author of the best critical essay on English literature--with an emphasis on the use of language--submitted during the academic year. Application guidelines are available in Sierra Tower 706 and are due in early May. The award will be made by a committee appointed annually by the Department of English.

The Academy of American Poets Prize

The Academy of American Poets sponsors an annual poetry contest with an award of $100 given for the best poem or poems. Two Honorable Mentions may also be awarded. Students may submit up to three poems by early April to the Department of English. The contest will be judged by an established poet, and the winners will be announced during the English Department Commencement celebration. Submission guidelines are available in Sierra Tower 706. For further information please contact Leilani Hall (818) 677-3428 or Dorothy Barresi (818) 677-0911.