The Department of English Awards List
Deadlines and Eligibility
Unless otherwise noted below, all students must submit application materials and supporting documents on the English Majors and Minors Canvas page, under Assignments, by 4:00 p.m. Monday November 17, 2023 in order to be considered for an award. Only a digital submission is required.
Application forms for individual awards (where required) are available on the English Majors and Minors Canvas page.
To request access to the English Majors and Minors Canvas page, please send an email to Vanessa Mendoza.
Essays and scholarly work submitted for consideration must have been completed between November 17, 2022 and November 17, 2023. Papers completed at the very end of the Fall 2023 semester will therefore be eligible for these Fall awards.
Special note to students who are currently receiving financial aid: Please be aware that award money may affect your financial aid status. We encourage you to consult the financial aid office to discover how receiving award money might impact your personal financial aid status.
For awards requiring letters of recommendation from English Department faculty, students should request these letters as soon as possible. At the bare minimum, students should ask if a professor will be willing to recommend them a week before the application deadline. Many professors will need more time than one week. Students should also inform their recommenders of pertinent academic information about themselves in a brief résumé (i.e. overall GPA; GPA in English major; membership in university organizations such as clubs, athletic teams, or student government; full or part-time employment status; other awards or achievements associated with CSUN).
For awards involving an essay or writing sample, the maximum page length (if stated) does not include footnotes or a works cited list.
If you have any questions about these awards, please contact Dr. Michael Bryson, 2023-24 Chair of the Awards Committee (michael.bryson@csun.edu), or Dr. Beth Wightman, Chair of the Department of English (beth.wightman@csun.edu).
Undergraduate Awards
The Linda Nichols Joseph English Merit Scholarship
In memory of Linda Nichols Joseph, an English major who graduated from CSUN cum laude in 1981, up to four prizes of $2,000 each will be awarded every year to undergraduate English majors who have demonstrated excellence in their studies. Particular consideration will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need, who have taken a non-traditional path to college, or who demonstrate engagement in the discipline and/or commitment to further study in English. However, all applicants who meet the minimum GPA criterion are encouraged to apply.
Application Requirement: Minimum 3.5 overall GPA
Application Materials: Completed an electronic application form; letter discussing the applicant’s qualifications for the award, including issues such as financial aid, and/or engagement in the discipline, and/or commitment to further study in English (1-2 pages); résumé or curriculum vitae; two letters of recommendation; Financial Aid release form (attached to the application form on Canvas.)
The letter of recommendation has to be emailed to Vanessa Mendoza at Vanessa.Mendoza@csun.edu or submitted to the English Department Sierra Tower 706.
The Oliver W. Evans Writing Prize
To commemorate Oliver W. Evans, his colleagues and friends have established two annual prizes of $500 to be awarded to the authors of the two best critical or creative pieces of prose—one for a paper on any topic and one for a paper on American literature—submitted in an upper-division English course during the academic year. Faculty may nominate students for this award by submitting their papers to the English Department office, and students may nominate themselves by similarly submitting their papers. All papers should indicate which of the two award designations they are targeting: “General Topics” or “American literature.” The awards will be made by a committee appointed annually by the Department of English.
Application Materials: One electronic submission of the student’s paper on Canvas
The Eva Latif Writing Prize in Children's Literature
To commemorate Eva Latif, her colleagues and friends offer an annual prize of $500 to the author of the best piece of writing, critical or creative, by a student on the subject of children's literature. Faculty may nominate students for this award by submitting their papers to the English Department office, and students may nominate themselves by similarly submitting their papers. The award will be made by a committee appointed annually by the Department of English.
Application Materials: One electronic submission of the student’s paper on Canvas.
Undergraduate/Graduate Award
The Peterson Morley Award
An award of $1,000 will be bestowed annually upon a student currently enrolled as an English major at CSUN in either the undergraduate or graduate program, who plans to enter the teaching profession at any level. Applications from students who demonstrate financial need to complete their studies will be given particular attention. This award is given in honor of Annamarie Peterson Morley, a professor at CSUN from 1965 to 1980, who taught with warmth, grace, humor, and wisdom. She was an elegant and humane woman, a model for teachers and students.
Application Requirements: For any Undergraduate Students: Registered as an English major, minimum 3.0 overall GPA, registered for at least 12 units in the subsequent semester.
For Graduate Students: Registered in the English graduate program, minimum 3.25 GPA, registered for at least 6 units in the subsequent semester.
Application Materials: Completed application form on Canvas, personal vignette of a classroom experience that has motivated the applicant’s desire to teach (3-page max.), unofficial transcript, two letters of recommendation, Financial Aid release form (attached to application form).
The letter of recommendation has to be emailed to Vanessa Mendoza at Vanessa.Mendoza@csun.edu or submitted to the English Department Sierra Tower 706.
Graduate Award
The Thomas Matthew Magness Graduate Memorial Fund
In memory of Thomas Matthew Magness, former English graduate student, this award will provide $1,000 tuition remission for a first-semester graduate student in the English MA program. Selection will be based on academic merit.
Application Requirement: Minimum 3.6 overall undergraduate GPA.
Application Materials: One letter of recommendation speaking to academic strengths and a 500-word personal statement detailing interests and goals in the English MA program.
The letter of recommendation has to be emailed to Vanessa Mendoza at Vanessa.Mendoza@csun.edu or submitted to the English Department Sierra Tower 706.