English DepartmentThe English Department is honored to announce the winners of its 2024 writing contests. The department administers writing contests to recognize fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and critical writing by English majors and non-major undergraduates.
FICTION
Anne Flexner Memorial Award for Fiction
Family members and friends of former English student Anne Flexner (1945) established the Anne Flexner Memorial Award for Creative Writing to recognize undergraduates for their work in fiction and poetry.
Makee Anderson ’24 - “Here, in the Past Tense”
Second Prize: Emma Huang, ’25 - "ABEL’S PLACE"
Reynolds Price Award for Fiction
The Reynolds Price Fiction Award was established in memory of the distinguished novelist, essayist, poet, and public intellectual Reynolds Price, a graduate of Duke and professor in the English Department for over 50 years.
Tomas Esber, ’24 - “Ridgewood”
Second Prize: Matthew Chen, ’26 - “ABC” & “Chair"
CREATIVE NONFICTION
George P. Lucaci Award for Creative NonFiction
This award was created to encourage creative nonfiction writing and honor George P. Lucaci, a former Duke student who has actively supported undergraduate creative writing in the English Department for many years.
Ruby Wang, ’24 - “Blood Orison”
Second Prize: Rowan Wang, ’24 - “Arms Outstretched"
POETRY
Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded in 1934 in New York City, the Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization advocating for American poets and poetry. Its mission is to support American poets at all stages of their careers and foster contemporary poetry appreciation.
Nima Babajani-Feremi, ’24 - “Dreams to Persepolis”
Honorable Mention: Tyler King, ’25 - "NO QUARTER"
Anne Flexner Memorial Award for Poetry
Family members and friends of former English student Anne Flexner (1945) established the Anne Flexner Memorial Award for Creative Writing to recognize undergraduates for their work in fiction and poetry.
Jocelyn Chin, 24 - “Endurance”
Second Prize: Arielle Stern, ’25 - "The Poem as Event"
Terry Welby Tyler, Jr. Award for Poetry
This award was established by the family of Terry Welby Tyler, Jr., who would have graduated with the class of 1997 to recognize and honor outstanding undergraduate poetry.
Arim Lim, ’26 - "Archeopteryx"
Creative Writing Scholarship Winners
Frances Pemberton Scholarship
Ryan Copeland, ‘25
Awarded to a junior or senior pursuing the study of creative writing. This scholarship was created by the Trustees of The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation in memory and in honor of Francis Pemberton's service to the Biddle Foundation.
Margaret Rose Knight Sanford Scholarship
Ali Thursland, ‘24
Awarded to a female student who demonstrates particular promise in creative writing. This scholarship was established in recognition of the untiring efforts of Margaret Rose Knight Sanford on behalf of Duke University.
William Blackburn Scholarship
Jocelyn Chin, ’24, Sage Cooley, ’25, Joshua Lee, ’26 and Rani Teddy, ‘26
Recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of creative writing. Established in 1962 by students and friends of Professor William Blackburn (1899-1969) who first began teaching creative writing at Duke.