Writing Awards

 
Farquhar Award for Poetry
The Farquhar Award for Poetry was established in 1953 by the faculty of the University of Kentucky English Department, in honor of Professor Edward F. Farquhar.  Dr. Farquhar was a professor in the department for 44 years, and served as chair of the department for 32 years.  This award, given in his honor, recognizes outstanding undergraduate poetry.
  • 2022: Deidra White, “Meihua”

Dantzler Award for Prose
The Dantzler Award for Fiction was established in 1953 by the faculty of the University of Kentucky English Department, in honor of Professor Lehre Livingston Dantzler.  Dr. Dantzler was a long-time professor in the English department.  He joined the department in 1912 as an associate professor, became head of the department in 1915, and served as a professor and department head until his retirement in 1947.  This award, given in his honor, recognizes outstanding undergraduate fiction.

  • 2022
    • Fiction: Blake Gidley, “Seasick”
    • Nonfiction: Dorothy Moore, “Mae, Make the Fire”
Nikky Finney Graduate Fellowship
This award honors an incoming or 2nd year MFA graduate student for outstanding academic performance.
  • 2022
    • Incoming: Jazmin Witherspoon
    • Returning: Kasimma

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Awards
These awards honor an MFA student for outstanding academic performance.

  • 2022
    • Poetry: Alfonso Zapata, “Perishable Goods”
    • Nonfiction: Lucy Jayes, “Survival Kit”
    • Fiction: Allegra Solomon, “True Blue”

Betty Combs Owen Recruitment Scholarship
The Betty Combs Owen Recruitment Scholarship was established in 2014 by Mr. Larry Owen, in memory of his wife, Betty Combs Owen.  Mrs. Owen earned a BA in English and Education at UK, graduating in 1957.  She served as Senior Policy Advisor to North Carolina Governor James B Hunt Jr., where she was directly responsible for policy matters involving education and human resources, and Chief of Staff for the National Task Force on Education.

  • 2022: Savannah Bowen

UK Libraries Poetry Broadside Contest
This award celebrate excellence in student poetry at the undergraduate and graduate leve. Recipients have their winning poem made into a run of 50 handmade broadsides by the King Library Press.

  • 2022
    • Undergraduate:  Atticus Combs
    • Graduate: Betsy Packard