In addition to the contests, the Hopwood Program administers the following prizes. Students cannot submit directly to these prizes; these prizes are determined by the outcomes of the contests, which can be found here.
The Andrea Beauchamp Prize
Endowed by Professor John Wagner, this prize rewards distinction in the writing of short fiction at the graduate level.
The Frank and Gail Beaver Script Writing Prize
An award for a distinguished script developed in a film or video production class in Screen Arts and Cultures. Consideration for the prize is given to all forms of creative film-video effort: experimental, narrative drama, documentary, animation.
The Chamberlain Award for Creative Writing
Awards given in honor of the three Chamberlain sisters, Elinor, Margaret, and Dorothy, who were University of Michigan graduates in the 1920’s. All three had careers in the field of writing and the oldest, Elinor, won a Hopwood Fiction Award in 1951. The award is given to an MFA student who has demonstrated excellence in the writing of short fiction.
The Helen J. Daniels Prize
An award donated by Professor Marilynn M. Rosenthal, who wrote: “When I won my Hopwood (1970) in the Major Essay division, I used a pseudonym composed of my three children's first names, Helen J. Daniels. I am delighted to name this undergraduate essay prize for them. Excellent essay writing is of vital importance in a world troubled with dis- and mis-information and the political manipulation of language. It is a special pleasure to recognize and reward young essayists at the University of Michigan.” The prize is at the undergraduate level.
The Geoffrey James Gosling Prize
A prize donated by Mrs. Enid M. Gosling to recognize merit in the novel division. The prize is in memory of her son.
The Paul and Sonia Handleman Poetry Award
A prize given to an undergraduate who has demonstrated excellence in the writing of poetry in the Romantic tradition. The family notes that this award “honors the memory of a husband and wife who for the nearly fifty years of their loving relationship shared a fascination for poetry—especially the verse of the English Romanticists. An appreciation of these great poems served to cement their bond, and it uplifted their spirits by infusing them with a sense of the nobility, the magnificence, the glory that are within reach of humankind.”
The Robert F. Haugh Prize
Donated by Georgia C. Haugh and the family and friends of Professor Robert F. Haugh, this prize is awarded to an exceptional writer of short fiction at the undergraduate level. Professor Haugh was the recipient of a 1947 Hopwood Major Fiction Award and was Director of the Hopwood Awards Program from 1965–1972.
The Dennis McIntyre Prize for Distinction in Undergraduate Playwriting
Established in 1990 by the family, friends, and former students of playwright, screenwriter, and Hopwood Award winner Dennis McIntyre, this prize honors excellence in undergraduate playwriting.
The Meader Family Award
Established by the late Hon. George Meader, his family and friends, the prize recognizes merit in the writing of poetry at the graduate level. Mr. Meader was a Republican member of Congress from 1950 to 1964 and worked as an attorney in Ann Arbor and Washington, D.C. The award is also in honor of his daughter, Barbara Ellen Meader, and his wife, Elizabeth Barbara Meader.
The Roy and Helen Meador Writing Award
This award has been established by Helen Meador in memory of her husband, Roy Meador, who was a writer and bibliophile. Roy was a commercial/science writer for many years in Ann Arbor. He was also a freelance writer and antiquarian who wrote several books, many short stories, and frequent letters to the editor. Roy Meador turned to his hobby for inspiration when he wrote “Book Row,” a history of the antiquarian book trade in New York City. The award is given each year on the basis of demonstrated writing talent and demonstrated financial need. Recipients must be University of Michigan undergraduates.
The Leonard and Eileen Newman Writing Prizes
An award to reward distinction in the writing of short fiction at the graduate level. A second award recognizes distinction in the writing of screenplays.
The Naomi Saferstein Literary Award
An award to an undergraduate writer of drama or screenplay. The prize was donated by Mrs. Irene Miller and friends and family of Naomi Saferstein, who won Hopwood Awards in the drama division in 1986 and 1987.
The Stanley S. Schwartz Prize
An award in the undergraduate short fiction division donated by Ann Arbor novelist Steven Gillis in memory of his father. Mr. Gillis notes that "Stanley Schwartz came to the University of Michigan in 1947 to study English and Creative Writing. A track star for the U-M, Stan ran the quarter mile on the University of Michigan's then record setting middle distance relay team at the Milrose Games. Graduating with honors, he attended the U-M Law School, and went on to become one of the country's most successful and influential attorneys. As the founding partner in Sommers, Schwartz, Silver and Schwartz, Stan blazed the trail for birth trauma litigation, authoring several books while devoting himself to protecting the interests of aggrieved parents.”
Helen S. and John Wagner Prize
Endowed by Professor John Wagner, the prize rewards distinction in the writing of poetry at the graduate level.
John Wagner Prize
Endowed by Professor John Wagner, the prize rewards excellence in the writing of nonfiction at the graduate level.
