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Student Awards and Prizes

Below is a list of Undergraduate Awards and Prizes. Except as noted, students are nominated by the Department and no formal application is required.  Please note that award values are not official until confirmed by the University Student Awards Office, but reflect the most current value as posted on the Student Awards website.  Students should also note that, unless otherwise stated, awards can normally only be confirmed for students who have completed 24 credits during the academic year (Fall and Winter Terms only) for which these awards are adjudicated.

HONORS ENGLISH  

The Rutherford Memorial Medal in English
Value: One sterling gilt medal. Condition: Offered to a student of superior academic achievement graduating from the Honors English program, with at least first-class standing. Recipient also receives the Sarah Nettie Christie Prize in English. Donor: The late Mrs. Cecil Rutherford and Mrs. Helen Rutherford, Edmonton, in memory of the late Honourable Alexander Cameron Rutherford. The medal continues to be funded by Mr. Harwood McQuaig, son of Mrs. Hazel McQuaig.

The Sarah Nettie Christie Prize in English
Value: $1,000
Condition: Awarded annually to the winner of the Rutherford Memorial Medal in English, the most prestigious undergraduate English prize. Donor: Endowed by Norma Bell Christie, BA, 1935, in memory of her mother, Sarah Nettie Christie.

Priscilla Hammond Memorial Scholarship in Honors English
Value: 2 at $1,550 Condition: Awarded annually to two students entering their final year in Honors English who in the judgement of the department show the greatest ability and promise in the field of English scholarship or in creative work in English. Donor: Endowed by Mrs. Edith Hammond, in memory of her daughter.

Aiken Prize in English Language and Literature
Value: $850. Condition: Awarded to an outstanding student entering third-year Honors English, provided a grade of 3.3 or better has been achieved in all English courses. Donor: Endowed by the late Sir James Aiken.

SENIOR ENGLISH 

The Frank Bessai Memorial Scholarship in Old English
Value: $1,250. Condition: Awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate or graduating student in the area of Old English, provided that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. Donor: Endowed by friends of the late Frank Bessai, in recognition of his services in the Department of English, 1960-1969

The R. D. Biamonte Award in English Literature of the Romantic Period
Value: $350. Condition: Awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate or graduating student for a course in the area of British Romantic Literature, provided that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award.

The Byrne Prize in Irish Studies
Value: $100 Gift Certificate. Condition: Awarded annually to the author of the best essay on an Irish writer or Filmmaker. Donor: Dr. Paul Byrne

The Canadian Bible Society Book Prize
Value: leather-bound King James Bible. Condition: Awarded, if applicable, to the student with the highest standing in ENGL 305, Literature and Religion; alternatively, the prize may be awarded to any outstanding student for work particularly relevant to the King James Bible.

The Joan Dorothy Whitehead Crowther Memorial Scholarship in Medieval Studies
Value: up to $350. Condition: To be awarded to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student in a course in Medieval Studies. Donor: Endowed by family and friends in memory of Dr. Joan Crowther, Professor of English, 1967 - 1984

The Christopher Q. Drummond Memorial Scholarship in Early Modern Non-Dramatic Literature
Value: $750. Condition: Awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate or graduating student in Early Modern non-dramatic literature, providing that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. When possible, preference will be given to students studying lyric poetry. Donor: Endowed by family, friends and students of the late Christopher Q. Drummond, Professor of English, 1969 - 1997

The D. R. Godfrey Memorial Book Prize in English Literature of the Romantic Period
Value: $250. Condition: Awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate or graduating student working towards a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement in English literature of the Romantic period, provided that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. Donor: Endowed by members of the Department of English, the Faculty of Arts and Alma Mater Fund of the University of Alberta Alumni Association in memory of the late Professor Emeritus Denis Godfrey.

The R. K. Gordon Prize in Chaucer
Value: $300. Condition: Awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate or graduating student with superior academic achievement in the study of Chaucer, provided that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. Donor: The Friends of the University, in memory of the late Professor Emeritus Gordon, 1913 - 1950

The J. T. Jones Prize in Milton
Value: $500. Condition: Awarded annually to the outstanding undergraduate or graduating student with superior academic achievement in the study of Milton, provided that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. Donor: Endowed by Friends of John Thomas Jones, in recognition of his service in the Department of English, 1922-1964.

James A. G. Marino Prize in English Language Studies
Value: $500. Condition: To be awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduating student with superior academic achievement in a senior course at the 300 or 400 level in the area of the development and influence of the English language. Recipient will be selected on the basis of academic standing in ENGL 300 or appropriate 400-level courses, provided that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. Donor: Endowed by the late James A.G. Marino, Professor of English, 1979-2003.

The McClelland and Stewart Book Prize in Canadian Literature
Value: $100 in books. Condition: Awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate or graduating student in the area of senior English Canadian Literature, provided that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. Funded by McClelland and Stewart, Inc.

The Norton Drama Prize
Value: $100 in books. Condition: Awarded annually to an outstanding student in an undergraduate course in dramatic literature of any period. The prize is not available to students at the 400-level.

The Helen Jeannette Raver Memorial Scholarship in English
Value: $250. Condition: Awarded annually to a graduating student with superior academic achievement in a degree program in the Faculty of Arts with a major in English. Recipient will be selected on the basis of academic standing.

The F. M. Salter Prize in Shakespeare Studies
Value: $1,550. Condition: Awarded annually on the basis of superior academic achievement to an undergraduate or graduating student who has completed 6 undergraduate credits in Shakespearean studies. Donor: Endowed by members of the Department of English, Friends of the University, and University of Alberta Alumni.

The Bruce Stovel Memorial Prize
Value: $500. Condition: Awarded to a student with superior academic achievemen tin any year of undergraduate study or at graduation in a course in 18th-century British literature, providing the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. Donor: Endowed by family, friends, colleagues and students of the late Bruce Stovel, Emeritus Professor of English, 1985 - 2006.

The Nelson Prize for Writing by Education Students
Value: $100 in books Condition: To be awarded for the best piece of writing by an Education student in English 299.

The University of Alberta Press Book Prize
Value: $250 in books. Condition: Awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate student in the ?eld of British, American, or Canadian 19th-Century Literature, excluding Romantic Literature, provided that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. This award is open to any student in an appropriate course.

The Sheila Watson BA Prize in Canadian and/or Postcolonial Literature
Value: $350. Condition: Awarded to a student in any year of a non-honors BA with superior academic achievement in English courses, provided that student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award.  Undergraduate and graduating students taking six credits in Canadian and/or Post-Colonial Literature will be eligible.  Donors: Diane Bessai and the late David Jackel, Emeritus Professors of English.

The Sheila Watson Prize in Modern British Literature
Value: $750. Condition: Awarded annually to the student who achieves the highest academic standing in in the area of Modern British Literature, provided that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory. Donor: Endowed by Patricia D. Clements and Robert J. Merrett, Professors of English, in recognition of the service of Sheila Watson to the Department of English, 1961 - 1975.

The Alison White Prize in Children's Literature
Value: 2 at $750 each. Condition: Awarded annually on the basis of superior academic achievement in the area of senior Children's Literature, provided that the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. Donor: Endowed by friends of Alison White and through a bequest from the Estate of Alison White, Professor of English, 1955 - 1974.

JUNIOR ENGLISH 

The Bertha E. Glass Award in English
Value: 2 at $500 each. Condition: Awarded annually to undergraduate students with satisfactory academic standing in at least 6 credits of junior English, provided that the students' academic records are otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. The award will be made to runners-up for the Priscilla Hammond Memorial Prize(s) in junior English. Open to any student registered in a junior English course and working towards a bachelor's degree.Donor: Endowed by Mrs. B. Glass.

The Priscilla Hammond Memorial Prize in English
Value: 3 at $450 each. Condition: Awarded annually to undergraduate students with superior academic achivevement in at least 6 credits of junior English, provided that the students' academic records are otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. Donor: Endowed by Mrs. Edith Hammond, in memory of her daughter.

The Broadview Press First-Year Essay Award: Readings in Poetry
Value: $100 or 10 books each. Condition: Awarded annually to the best essays in Readings in Prose and Readings in Poetry, half-year junior English courses. Award-winning essays are posted on the Broadview Press website.

The Pearson Education Canada Essay Prize in First-Year English
Value: $125 in books. Condition: Awarded annually for the best essay by a student in a half-year junior English course.

The Nelson Book Prize in Junior English
Value: $100 in books. Condition: Awarded annually for the best piece of writing by a student in a half-year junior English course.

The Nelson Book Prize for Excellence in Technical Writing
Value: $100 in books. Condition: Awarded annually for the best piece of writing by a student in ENGL 199, Essentials of Writing for Engineering Students. 

WRITE PROGRAM

The Anton Prize in Fiction
Value $300. Condition: Awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduating students who has excelled in the writing of original fiction while registered in either WRITE 393, 395 or 495. By nomination of the instructor or instructors.

The Ted and Charlotte Davenport Poetry Prize
Value: $600. Condition: Awarded annually to a student who has excelled in the writing of original poetry while at the University of Alberta. Undergraduate, graduating, orgraduate students in any WRITE course are eligible.

The James Patrick Folinsbee Prize in English
Value: 2 at $1,200 each and 2 at $1,600 each Condition: Awarded annually to outstanding undergraduate or graduating students in the area of Creative Writing whose writing shows greatest merit, provided the student's academic record is otherwise satisfactory in the year of the award. Undergraduate students in WRITE courses in fiction and/or poetry are eligible. Donor: Endowed by the late Dr F.J. Folinsbee.

Stephen Kapalka Memorial Prize in Creative Writing
Value: $4,000. Conditions: Awarded to an undergraduate student with satisfactory academic standing who has taken a WRITE class in fiction or creative non-fiction.  Selection based on greatest merit demonstrated in writing.  This award is open to full-time and part-time students. Previous winners are not eligible to be reconsidered.  Funded by a donation from Jason Kapalka.

The NeWest Press Write 400-level Prize in Non-Fiction Writing
Value: $100 in books from NeWest Press. Condition: Awarded to the outstanding student(s) in any 400-level WRITE Non-fiction course.

The Oxford University Press Write 300-level Book Prizes in Non-Fiction Writing
Value: $100 in books, provided by Oxford University Press. Condition: Awarded annually to the outstanding student(s) in any 300-level WRITE Non-fiction course.

The Norton Write 300-level Prize in Non-Fiction Writing
Value: $100 in books. Condition: Awarded annually to the outstanding student(s) in any 300-level WRITE Non-fiction course.

The Write 200-level Book Prizes in Non-Fiction Writing
Value: 1-4 at up to $300 in books. Condition: Awarded annually to outstanding students in WRITE 298.

FILM STUDIES 

Oxford University Press Book Prize for Best Essay on World Cinema
Value: Book - The Oxford History of World Cinema. Condition: Awarded annually for the best essay on World Cinema written by a student in a Film Studies course at the 300 or 400 level.

The Pearson Education Canada Essay Prize in Second-year Film Studies
Value: $125 in books. Condition: Awarded annually for the best essay written by a student in a 200-level Film Studies course.

University of Alberta Press Book Prize for Best Essay on Canadian Cinema
Value: $100 in books. Condition: Awarded annually for the best essay on Canadian Cinema written by a student in a Film Studies course at the 300 or 400 level.

Wallflower Press Book Prize for Best Essay on American Cinema
Value: Book - Contemporary North American Directors. Condition: Awarded annually for the best essay on American Cinema writtenby a student in a Film Studies course at the 300 or 400 level.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS REQUIRING APPLICATION 

The James Patrick Folinsbee Memorial Scholarship in Creative Writing
Value: 1 or 2 at up to $2,400. Condition: Awarded annually to a student(s) of demonstrated ability in Creative Writing who will be entering the fourth year of the Honors English program or any year of a graduate program in English (including students from elsewhere who are entering a graduate program in English at the University of Alberta). Also open to both full-time and part-time students, but not to previous winners of this award. Candidates must apply to the Chair by April 30. Donor: Endowed by the late Dr J.F. Folinsbee.

The Catherine and Louise Ford Award
Value: $600. Condition: Awarded annually to a student entering fourth year in the Department of English and Film Studies on the basis of involvement in extracurricular activities. Preference will be given to a student in financial need. Students must by letter apply to the Chair by April 30 and include a completed bursary form. Donor: Endowed by the Ford Family.

The Lesley Heathcote Librarianship Bursary
Value: 2 at $3,925 each. Condition: Awarded annually to two students, one entering third year and one entering fourth year in the Department of English and Film Studies, on the basis of financial need. Recipients must have a GPA of 3.3 or higher, and preference will be given to students who intend to pursue a graduate degree in Library and Information Studies. Students must apply by letter to the Chair by April 30 and include a completed bursary form. Donor: Endowed by Miss Lesley Heathcote.

The Vanessa Hughes Memorial Award
Value: $1250. Condition: Awarded to a student with satisfactory academic standing entering the fourth year of study for a Bachelor of Arts with a major or minor in Film Studies. Selection based on academic standing and demonstrated financial need. Preference given to a student with demonstrated involvement in environmental or social justice issues. Students must apply by letter to the Chair by April 30 and include a completed bursary form.  Endowed by the family and friends of Vanessa Hughes.

The Roscoe Robinson Miller Scholarship
Value: $1,400 Condition: Awarded annually on the basis of academic standing to a student entering third- or fourth-year Honors Geography or Honors English. The application is available through Bear Tracks.  Deadline is August 1. Endowed by the late Roscoe R. Miller.

The John Orrell Memorial Prize in Shakespeare Studies
Value: Variable. Condition: One award will be normally given each year, with preference given to graduate students in the Department of English and Film Studies and in other departments of the Faculty of Arts, for the purpose of travel related to the advancement of theatre history. Application in the form of a short research proposal should be made to the Chair, Department of English and Film Studies, Humanities Centre 3-13. The deadline for applications is April 30. Endowed by the family and friends of the late John Orrell, Professor of English, 1961-1995.