A number of awards for poetry and essay-writing are awarded annually to undergraduate students.  The poetry awards involve open competitions in which students are invited to submit their work.  The winners of the essay contests are chosen from among a pool of exceptional essays submitted by instructors in the Department of English at the end of each academic year.

Barbara Sudall Book Prize

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Department of English Language and Literature to an outstanding part-time student in the B.A. or Honours program in English. Endowed 1986 by friends and colleagues of Barbara Sudall in recognition of her twenty-two years of service as the Faculty Administrator in the Faculty of Arts.

Beattie-Haines Scholarship in English

Awarded awarded to an undergraduate student proceeding from one year to another in the Department of English Language and Literature. Endowed in 2001 by friends and colleagues in honour of Munro Beattie and Charles Haines.

Burton M Heward Scholarship

The Burton M. Heward Scholarship in Creative Writing is awarded annually on the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of English Language and Literature to an outstanding student proceeding from one year to another in a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. Endowed in 2022 in loving memory of Burton Meredith Heward BA/60 in recognition of his 40-year career as a newspaper writer and editor and to honour his passion for Canadian writers.

Canute Lloyd Stanford Award

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of English Language and Literature, preference will be given to students pursuing studies in comparative literature and canon. As a former host of CKCU’s Third World Players show since 1980, Lloyd had a strong appreciation for the fine arts including theatre, literature, art collecting and music. Although his personal interests helped influence the award, the true catalyst behind its establishment is his mother and father who raised their family with humility. Lloyd recounted his mother’s natural knack for storytelling and the way he grew up hearing her share anecdotes from literature. Lloyd also credited his father for his compassion for others, as he was both a strong speaker and active member in benevolent societies within his community.

Charles Haines Memorial Prize

The Charles Haines Memorial Prize is awarded annually, on the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of English, to the student writing the best essay on drama or theatre criticism.  It was endowed in 1998 by friends, colleagues and former students to honour Professor Haines.

Connor Boyd Memorial Scholarship

The Connor Boyd Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually on the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of English, to an outstanding student entering or proceeding from one year to another in a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate compassion for others who are facing hardship. Endowed by family, friends, and members of the Ottawa community in loving memory of Connor Boyd whose promising life was tragically cut short in 2013.

Dr Marc Andrew Hewson Memorial Scholarship

Awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate student who is entering or proceeding from one year to another in a program in the Department of English Language and Literature. Endowed in 2019 by family, friends, students and colleagues of Dr. Marc Andrew Hewson. Awarded through the University Advancement Office and Student Awards.

Dr. Marc Andrew Hewson passed away unexpectedly on Monday December 31, 2018 at the age of 48 years old. Marc was an Instructor of American Literature here at Carleton University, and is nationally recognized and quoted as an Ernest Hemingway Scholar.

George Johnston Poetry Awards

Three prizes are awarded annually for the best unpublished poem (up to 5 poems may be submitted, not to exceed 250 lines) submitted by full or part-time students currently enrolled at Carleton. The late George Johnston, was a distinguished Canadian poet, professor, and founding member of the English Department at Carleton. His colleagues originally established this prize in his honour in 1992. An independent judge from Ottawa’s poetry community selects all award winners annually. Details may be obtained from the Creative Writing Hub.

Gordon J. Wood Scholarship in English

Two prizes annually to outstanding students proceeding from one year to another in the English program. This award was established to recognize excellence in study of English literature. Endowed in 2002 by the Estate of Gordon J. Wood, a former Professor in the Department of English at Carleton University.

Grant Andrew Dzuba Scholarship in English

Awarded annually to an outstanding student proceeding from one year to another in the Department of English Language and Literature. Preference will be for a student who is pursuing their studies while also employed part-time. Endowed 2003 by G. Andrew Dzuba, BAHons/98, MA/02.

Lilian I. Found Award for Poetry

This Award is offered annually for the best unpublished poem of 50 lines or less by an undergraduate student currently enrolled at Carleton. The donor is the late Mrs. Lilian. I. Found, who endowed the Award in 1950, and was the convener of the Ottawa Poetry Group and Canadian Poetry Contest in the 1940s. Details may be obtained from the Creative Writing Hub.

Marston LaFrance Memorial Award in English

Awarded annually, when merited, to outstanding students proceeding from Third to Fourth year of the Honours English program in the Bachelor of Arts at Carleton University. Endowed 1976 in memory of the late Dr. Marston LaFrance, former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Division I. Revised 2007.

Randell Stanton Memorial Book Prize

Awarded annually to an outstanding full-time student proceeding from Second to Third year. This prize is awarded in alternate years to a student in the English Language and Literature program and the Architectural Studies program. The book prize is named in honour of an alumnus of Carleton University who studied and loved the disciplines of English literature and architecture. Donor: Family and friends of the late Randell Stanton. Endowed 1990.

R.L. McDougall Award in English

Awarded annually to an outstanding student in the B.A. or Honours program in English. This award was established by friends, family and colleagues of Rob McDougall in recognition of his 25 years of service as a distinguished member of the Department of English Language and Literature and especially for his contribution as teacher, scholar and administrator in the field of Canadian studies. Endowed 1983

Rosemarie Hoey Award in English

Established in 1995, this award is given annually in the Spring, at the discretion of the Chair, to students in first and second year courses who, in the professional opinion of their instructor, have demonstrated consistent growth in oral and written work for that course and who intend to pursue an English major, minor, and/or a departmental concentration.

Susan Joan Wood Memorial Scholarship

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Department of English Language and Literature. Preference will be given to a student proceeding from the Third to Fourth year of an Honours program in English with an emphasis on Canadian literature. Donor: Friends and colleagues of Susan Joan Wood. Endowed 1982.

Wilfred Peltier Memorial Scholarship in English

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of English Language and Literature, to an undergraduate, or graduate student whose area of interest is Indigenous Literature. This award was established in 2001 by family, friends, and colleagues of Wilfred Peltier, Odawa pipecarrier, who passed away in July 2000. Associated some 20 years with Carleton University, Peltier served as Elder-in-Residence in the Department of Sociology/Anthropology as well as adviser to the Centre for Aboriginal Education, Research and Culture. Guardian of Anishnaabe traditions, renowned story-teller, and author of No Foreign Land and A Wiseman Speaks, Peltier  guest-lectured over the years in a number of departments, including English and Psychology.  He had a loyal following of faculty and students who regularly dropped in to chat and hear his words of wisdom.

Wilgar Memorial Award in English

This book prize is awarded to a Carleton University undergraduate who has shown excellence in essay-writing. The Wilgar was established 1951, in memory of the late W.P. Wilgar, Assistant Professor of English at Carleton University, 1948-50.