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English Department Awards

Andris Taskans Memorial Award for Creative Writing
This award will support an Indigenous student pursuing an undergraduate degree in the Department of English at The University of Winnipeg with preference given to a student in the Creative Writing stream. If a student cannot be identified in the Creative Writing stream, then preference will instead be given to an Indigenous 3rd-year student who has taken Creative Writing classes. Recipients must demonstrate financial need. Funded by Prairie Fire, a literary magazine that has been running for over 40 years out of Old Market Square, this scholarship honours the late Editor, Andris Taskans who passed away in September 2019. Staff and board have created this award to recognize the 1975 University of Winnipeg alumnus. Andris was a champion of Indigenous authors and would be pleased to know his legacy was being honoured in this way.

Celia & Philip Samuel Rogers Memorial Scholarship in English
This scholarship is funded by the Erica and Arnold Rogers Fund for Academic Excellence. It will be awarded to a student entering fourth year of an English Honours program who has displayed academic excellence.

Clem Wyke Prize in English
This prize is presented in memory of Dr. Clement H. Wyke who taught a The University of Winnipeg from 1971 to 1996. It will be awarded annually to the top student in English 2142, Field of Literary and Textual Studies, a course he designed and instituted.

Dr. Lloyd Siemens Memorial Scholarship in English
This scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding student in Third or Fourth year in the Honours program, Department of English who is planning to continue studies. Preference will be given to students in Victorian and/or Edwardian literature, with a special interest or background in music and/or dance. Dr. Lloyd Siemens (1935-2010) was a graduate of United College in 1956. He taught at The University of Winnipeg Collegiate for 3 years and The University of Winnipeg as a member of the English Faculty for 28 years. Teaching was his life, and his legacy of service to The University of Winnipeg is commemorated with this scholarship. This scholarship is established with gifts from Mrs. Irene Siemens, family and friends.

E. Phyllis Smith Memorial Scholarship in English Literature
This award is provided through The University Women's Club of Winnipeg from the estate of the late Miss E. Phyllis Smith, a 1941 graduate of United College. It will be awarded to a student of high standing in English Literature entering the Third year of the Major or Honours program.

Elsa Redekopp Memorial Scholarship         
Established by the children of Elsa Redekopp, this scholarship celebrates the life and work of Elsa Redekopp who graduated from The University of Winnipeg with a B.A. It will be awarded to a student who is studying children's literature. Preference will be given to a student in the B. Ed program who has a financial need.

English Department Mentorship Scholarship         
This scholarship will be awarded to a continuing student of high standing in the English Honours program who also has a strong record of community service and/or involvement in mentorship activities. Preference will be given to a student who intends to pursue studies in English at the graduate level. This scholarship honours Professors Candida Rifkind, Debbie Schnitzer, Heather Milne, and Heather Snell for their generous advice and unparalleled commitment to nurturing the academic, professional, and personal success of their students and junior colleagues. As valued mentors, these English faculty members inspire a legacy of leadership and a life-long love of learning. The scholarship is established by Sarah Bezan ('09), a graduate and contract faculty member of the Department of English at The University of Winnipeg.

English Department Scholarships    
A number of scholarships will be awarded annually on the nomination of the Department of English to students with outstanding records in English at The University of Winnipeg who are proceeding to further study in an English Major or English Honours program.

Frederick and Edith (Robertson) Baragar Scholarship
This scholarship, established in memory of Frederick Baragar, 1914 graduate of Wesley College, and Edith (Robertson) Baragar, 1917 Lady Stick and graduate of Wesley College, by their family and friends, will be awarded alternately to a student of high academic standing in English or Geography who is continuing in a Major or Honours program.

Gabrielle Taubner Van De Pape Scholarship in English      
This scholarship is provided by the Erica and Arnold Rogers Fund for Academic Excellence. It will be awarded annually to a student who has completed First year (30 credit hours) and who intends to major in English in the General, 4-year, or Honours program.

Hattie Amelia Edwards Scholarship in English        
This scholarship was established by the late Rev. John A.M. Edwards in memory of his sister. It will be awarded to a student with high standing in the Honours or Major English program.

Howard Daniels Memorial Shakespeare Prize        
This prize has been established by Professor Bruce C. Daniels in memory of his father, Howard Daniels. It will be awarded annually to the student with the highest standing in English 4311, Shakespeare.

Kay Unruh Des Roches Memorial Scholarship        
This scholarship is established by family and friends in memory of Kay Unruh Des Roches who taught English at The University of Winnipeg from 1967 to 1995. It will be awarded annually to a student who is majoring in English in any undergraduate degree program. Special consideration may be given to a student who has demonstrated ability in the area of either drama or literary theory.

Lucy H. Bertschinger Memorial Prize
This prize was established by Gladys Mellon of Sarnia, Ontario in loving memory of her sister. It will be awarded on the recommendation of the Department of English to a student who reveals an unusual capacity for written expression in English and who intends to write creatively in the future. General and Honours program students are eligible. Items must be submitted to the Chair of the Department of English. Annual deadline is the second Monday of April.

Moira Bell Memorial Scholarship    
This scholarship was founded by The University of Winnipeg Students Association in memory of Miss Moira Bell, a distinguished 1969 English Honours graduate of the university. It is awarded to a student with high standing in the Major or Honours program in English who is entering the Third or Fourth year. Special consideration may be given to a student who has participated significantly in extra-curricular activities.

Mr. & Mrs. ONG Hoo Hong Award for Creative Writing    
Established in 2019 by Gim Ong, this award honours the memory of his parents Mr. and Mrs. Ong Hoo Hong. Awards will be provided to students with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 who are facing unique financial hardships or living with disabilities. Applicants must register for at least one Creative Writing course in the Department of English during the academic year. The intent of this award is to encourage and attract more students to pursue creative writing so they may achieve their dreams. Repeat recipients are possible.

Mr. & Mrs. ONG Hoo Hong Emerging Writers Prize
This prize will be given to students who have an interest or declared major in English at The University of Winnipeg. Candidates must submit an example of their creative writing such as poetry, prose, or a combination (10-12 pages), and an essay about their current writing experience and plans for their writing goals (no more than 1,200 words). The purpose of this prize is to encourage talented creative writing students to pursue their passion for writing. This prize can be received multiple times by an individual; first year students are eligible. Recipients must have a 2.60 cumulative grade point average or higher.

Patricia Ruth Rogers Scholarship in English
This scholarship is provided by the Erica and Arnold Rogers Fund for Academic Excellence. It will be awarded annually to the most promising student entering the Final year of the English Honours program.

Perry Nodelman Scholarship in Children's Literature        
This scholarship was established by the Department of English to honour Dr. Perry Nodelman, who retired in September 2005. It will be awarded to a student registered in a second or subsequent course in Children's Literature, recognizing promise in critical writing.

Peter Pauls Scholarship in English   
This scholarship was established by Dr. Peter Pauls, who taught in The University of Winnipeg Department of English from 1968 to 1996. Preference will be given to a student entering the Final year of the Honours, 4-year, or Major program in English who has demonstrated an interest in Sixteenth and/or Seventeenth Century Literature, including Shakespeare.

Poetry Studies Scholarship  
Established by the Department of English at The University of Winnipeg, this scholarship will be awarded to a student who has demonstrated achievement in poetry.

R.N. Hallstead Memorial Shakespeare Prizes         
In memory of the late Professor Robert Nathaniel Hallstead, awards are offered annually for the best essays submitted on any aspect of the work of Shakespeare. Candidates need not be registered for a course in English, but must be registered at The University of Winnipeg during the session in which an essay is submitted. All essays to be considered for the awards must be submitted to the Chair, Department of English. Annual deadline is the second Monday of April.

Robena (Robbie) Sykes Memorial Scholarship in Canadian Literature     
This scholarship is provided by the Erica and Arnold Rogers Fund for Academic Excellence. It will be awarded annually to a promising student entering the Final year of the Honours or 4-year program in English with a demonstrated interest in Canadian Literature.

Roger & Kathleen Graham Scholarship       
This scholarship is given by Kathleen Graham in recognition of her husband's distinguished writing and teaching of Canadian history and of their undergraduate years together at United College (1939-41). It is intended to recognize excellence in History and English and will be awarded annually to a student who has completed First Year (30 credit hours) with high academic standing and who intends to continue studies at The  University of Winnipeg by majoring in both History and English  in a General, Four-year or Honours degree program.

The Judith F. Gainsbury Memorial Scholarship in Creative Writing          
This scholarship was created by Dr. Neil Besner to honour his mother, Judith Gainsbury.  Dr. Besner was a faculty member at The University of Winnipeg from 1987 until 2017, acting in many roles, most notably as a professor in the Department of English, and as Provost and Vice President Academic. This scholarship was created to support a student who is currently a major in English at The University of Winnipeg. The successful candidate will have shown interest in Creative Writing, through classes and extracurricular activities during their undergraduate career, and has been identified by their professors, to the English Awards Committee, as a deserving candidate for the award. The scholarship may follow the student from year to year based on a maintained GPA, and a continued interest in Creative Writing.  In the event that a suitable undergraduate candidate cannot be identified, the scholarship may be awarded to a student who received their undergraduate degree in English at The University of Winnipeg and is now in the Master of Arts in Cultural Studies program, specializing in Texts and Cultures.  Preference will be given to an individual who identifies as female.

Walter E. Kroeker Memorial Scholarship in 18th Century Literature        
This scholarship is established by his family in honour of Walter E. Kroeker, in recognition of his interest in eighteenth-century literature, particularly in the works of Samuel Johnson. It will be awarded annually to a student with a demonstrated interest in eighteenth-century literature.

Walter E. Swayze Scholarship in English     
This scholarship was established by members of the Department of English in honour of the contribution made by Dr. Walter E.Swayze to the Department through the years 1953-1987. It will be awarded to a student who reveals academic excellence and who is continuing in the Major or Honours program in English.

Writers Circle Prize for Original English Fiction, Drama or Poetry 
Candidates must be registered in at least one credit course at The University of Winnipeg during the session in which an item is submitted. Work which has been awarded a prize in another competition is not eligible. Items must be submitted to the Chair of the English Department by the second Monday of April, and must be accompanied by a separate sheet of paper on which the writer's name, address and current registration are given.