Sweetland offers prizes for student writers in LSA. Sweetland’s prizes include: the Matt Kelley Prize for Excellence in First-Year Writing and the Prize for Excellence in Upper-Level Writing. These prizes are awarded annually in the winter term, and winning entries are published to showcase excellence in writing across the College. Instructors nominate student writing for each of the prizes. View previous winners and read their winning work.
Matt Kelley Prize for Excellence
in First-Year Writing
The Sweetland Center for Writing invites instructors of First-Year Writing Requirement courses to nominate student essays or multi-modal writing projects that are innovative, complex and respond thoughtfully to an assignment. Essays of 2,500 words or fewer for any 2023 course (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) that fulfilled the LSA First-Year Writing Requirement are eligible. Please nominate up to two student essays by completing the form including a description of the assignment. Two winning entries will receive monetary prizes and will be published in an online collection of excellent first-year student writing.
Prize for Excellence
in Upper-Level Writing
The Sweetland Center for Writing invites instructors of Upper-Level Writing Requirement courses to nominate student essays that are innovative, complex and thoughtfully respond to an assignment. Essays of 5000 words or fewer from any 2023 course (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) that fulfilled the LSA Upper-Level Writing Requirement are eligible. Please nominate up to two student essays by completing the form including a description of the assignment. Two winning entries will be selected in each of three areas: Science, Social Science, and Humanities. The winners will receive monetary prizes and will be published in an online collection of excellent upper-level student writing.
Nominating your student
To nominate your student(s), complete the form linked below. Nominated students are contacted and invited to revise and submit their nominated work by February 2, 2024. Winners will be announced in early March.
If you have any questions, please contact Lori Moizio (lmoizio@umich.edu)
Nominations for Winter 2023 - Fall 2023 due are due Fri, January 19, 2024.
