Student Resources: Scholarships and Awards

The Department of English offers a variety of scholarships and awards for students enrolled in our degree program. Specific scholarships and awards are listed below, along with eligibility requirements. The specific amount for each scholarship will vary from year to year, depending on the income generated by the endowment. Currently, we have two scholarships in English (Willie Maude Thompson and George W. Walker Scholarships). 

Scholarships

Willie Maude Thompson Scholarship in English

Given in memory of Willie Maude Thompson, this scholarship first became available during the 1996-97 academic year. The scholarship amount may be awarded to one recipient or divided equally among multiple recipients. The total amount generated by this fund is approximately $1,500.

Requirements:

The Willie Maude Thompson Scholarship shall be awarded to a rising senior English major who demonstrates academic excellence and whose outstanding service to the department and college community enhances the English program.  The criteria include

• an overall GPA of 3.6 or higher 
• outstanding contributions and/or exceptional service including but not limited to contributions to departmental publications, projects, and special programs; presentations at professional meetings, contributions to college publications (ex. college newspaper); or other significant related contributions which reflect favorably upon the English program.
• current enrollment at UWG

George W. Walker English Scholarship

This scholarship was established in memory of Dr. George W. Walker and may be conferred upon one or more recipients. The total amount generated by this fund is approximately $2,250.

Requirements:

The George W. Walker English Scholarship shall be awarded to a rising junior or senior English major who has made significant contributions to the department.  This award recognizes students of high caliber based on demonstrated academic potential.  The criteria include

• an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher; 
• meritorious service to the department (including but not limited to contributions to departmental publications, projects, and special programs; contributions to college publications (ex. college newspaper); or other significant related contributions which reflect favorable upon the English program); 
• demonstrated commitment to the program; 
• current enrollment at UWG

Mary Anne (Sugar) Wilson Goreau DeVillier Memorial Scholarship

This is an unrestricted scholarship designed to let the program support any students that it deems deserving.

Awards

Gordon Watson Award

Criteria: Named in honor of Gordon Watson, this award is presented annually at the University Honors Convocation to an undergraduate major in English. It is the highest honor that we confer on one of our majors. The recipient should be a junior or senior English major with a high GPA (at least 3.2) and some involvement in extracurricular activities. Typically, the award has gone to a graduating senior, but that is not a requirement. The award carries no monetary stipend.

Insight Awards (2)

Criteria: This award is given each year to one junior and one senior English major who has done outstanding work in at least one upper division English course. The student is not required to have the highest grade in the class or the highest overall GPA; however, they should exhibit critical or insightful approaches to the course content and/or make other significant contributions to the course through such activities as class discussions, presentations, and other coursework.

Most Outstanding English Minor

Criteria: Student must be registered as an English minor.

Most Promising New English Major

Criteria: Student must be registered as an English major

Most Outstanding English Major/Secondary Teacher Education Track

Criteria: Student must be registered as an English major and be accepted into the certification sequence through the College of Education.

Robert Snyder Prize for Most Outstanding Contribution to a Senior Seminar

Criteria: Students who took the senior seminar the previous spring and fall semesters are eligible. Consideration should be given to students who excel academically in the seminar and who make significant contributions to the seminar's overall success.

Most Outstanding Graduate Student

Criteria: Students who are currently enrolled in our M.A. program are eligible. Consideration may be given to students based on their academic achievements as well as their other contributions to the graduate program.

James Mathews Prize for Best Graduate Student Essay

Kimily Willingham Service Award

Marion L. Fisher Award

Criteria: 1. The recipient must be a rising junior or senior standing majoring in English; 2. The student must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or better; 3. Preference will be given to students concentrating in American Literature; 4. The student must demonstrate superior writing ability as determined by the awarding committee.

Other Awards

Kay Magenheimer Poetry Prize

Criteria: Selected by the Creative Writing faculty

Ben W. Griffith Fiction Prize

Criteria: Selected by the Creative Writing faculty