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Scholarships & Awards

English & Journalism offers a wide variety of scholarships and awards every year. For questions and application procedures, contact our advising office.

Scholarships

The following scholarships are awarded annually to English & Journalism students. To apply for any of these scholarships, visit the Department Advising Office. Applications are due by March 1 each Spring (or the first Monday after if March 1 falls on a weekend).

Scholarship Information & Application

Scholarship Name Requirements
Dameris Bagwell Memorial Scholarship in Journalism Journalism major or minor; 3.0 GPA; at least sophomore standing; active in at least one professional student organization
Barbara & John Blackburn Scholarship English major (preference for English Education); 2.75 GPA; at least junior standing; community service and/or student activities considered, as is financial need
Dr. Paul Blackford British Literature Scholarship English major; 3.0 GPA; full-time student; recommendation of British Literature faculty member
Dr. John Castle Memorial Scholarship Incoming Freshman English major; 3.0 high school GPA; ACT 26 composite/27 English
Dr. Olive Fite American Literature Scholarship English major; 3.0 GPA; full-time student; recommendation of American Literature faculty member
Dr. Irving Garwood Shakespeare Scholarship English major; 3.0 GPA; junior/senior standing; manifests an exceptional interest in Shakespeare; recommendation of Shakespeare faculty
Lila S. Linder English Scholarship English major; 3.3 GPA; at least sophomore standing; full-time student; leadership, dependability, service; two scholarships awarded to 1 male and 1 female English major
Alfred J. Lindsey Memorial Scholarship Graduate or undergraduate English major; at least junior standing; requires 3.0 GPA (cumulative, major and minor) for undergraduate students/3.5 GPA for graduate students; exceptional interest & skill in writing; must submit writing samples (10-page maximum)
John Merrett Scholarship in British Literature Graduate or undergraduate English major; at least junior standing; must submit essay from WIU British Lit. course
Nai-Tung Ting English Scholarship Graduate or undergraduate English major; 3.0 GPA for undergraduate students/3.5 GPA for graduate students; at least junior standing; preference given to a student from mainland China
The Wanninger Foundation Scholarship Graduate or undergraduate English major whose education was interrupted by at least two years; 2.5 GPA for undergraduate students/3.0 GPA for graduate students; awarded every other year
Beth M. Stiffler Memorial Scholarship Junior or Senior English Education major; 3.0 GPA; fully accepted into TEP; 2 recommendations (one from ENG 384 or EDUC 439 faculty); submit short (1-2 pg.) statement of purpose, strengths and preparation for teaching
Bill Bradshaw Memorial Scholarship in Journalism Journalism major; 3.0 GPA; junior/senior standing; preference given to applicants who reside in circulation area of Quincy Herald Whig or LaHarpe Quill - if no such applicant, then any Illinois resident
Kenneth L. Dixon Memorial Scholarship in Journalism Incoming Freshman Journalism major from Illinois high school; 26 ACT; rank top 20%; preference given to Colchester, IL resident or student from McDonough County high school
Scholar of the Year English or Journalism major; outstanding GPA; at least junior standing; prefer outside activity that shows commitment to field of study

Awards

English & Journalism administers the following awards:

  • The Leland essay contest for students in ENG 100, ENG 180, and ENG 280. Essays must be submitted to the WIU Writing Program office located in 129 Simpkins Hall.
  • The Graduate Program administers several awards and fellowships, including the Conger Essay Award, Mahoney Fellowship, and Walker Fellowship.
  • Three creative writing awards: the Lois C. Bruner Literary Nonfiction Award, and the Cordell Larner Awards in Fiction and Poetry. 
  • Several Journalism awards, given to the best in-class work in graphics and writing

Congratulations to these past winners!