University & College Poetry Prizes

Established in 1955, the University and College Poetry Prize program began with ten schools. Today, the Academy of American Poets sponsors over two hundred annual poetry prizes at colleges and universities across the U.S, and has awarded cash prizes to nearly ten thousand student poets since the program's inception. The recognition winning student poets receive provides important validation. As one student poet, Emily, shared, "As a young poet the prize not only made me feel as if my work had something of value, it made me feel connected with the broader poetic community. It increased my confidence in my writing and encouraged me to continue working at my craft."

History

Many of our most esteemed poets won their first recognition through an Academy of American Poets College Prize, including Diane Ackerman, Toi Derricotte, Mark Doty, Alice Fulton, Tess Gallagher, Louise Glück, Allen Grossman, Jorie Graham, Kimiko Hahn, Joy Harjo, Robert Hass, Li-Young Lee, Brad Leithauser, J. D. McClatchy, Heather McHugh, Gregory Orr, Robert Pinsky, Sylvia Plath, Mark Rudman, Mary Jo Salter, Gjertrud Schnackenberg, George Starbuck, Mark Strand, Ocean Vuong, and Charles Wright. 

Establishing a Prize

The majority of the active University and College Poetry Prizes are endowed in perpetuity.

New U.S. schools are admitted into the program only with a $5,000 endowment contribution, which allows a cash prize of $100 to be awarded each year in perpetuity, enables the Academy of American Poets to provide a year-long membership to the winning student, and assists with the administrative costs of the program. We encourage anyone wishing to endow a college prize to contact the Academy of American Poets before selecting a school. We want to ensure the school's ability to annually award the prize. Additionally, some of our oldest prizes do not yet have endowments, and we would very much like to see them secured.

A prize may be named by the donor or donors, and all contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Donors receive copies of their schools' winning poems each year, as well as a lifetime subscription to American Poets, the Academy's biannual journal.

For inquiries, contact Nikay Paredes, Programs Director.

Prize Eligibility

Each participating school determines whether to make its prize open to undergraduates, graduate students, or both, and sets restrictions on submission length, deadline, and number of poems. No restrictions may be made regarding theme or style. Only registered students of a given participating school are eligible for the prize offered through that institution. If you are a student and have already determined that your school hosts an Academy prize, but do not know whom to contact for guidelines, please write to Marti Irving, Programs Assistant, for details. Be sure to include the name of the school.

Contest Procedures

Fall

A faculty member or administrator at each participating school, usually in the English department or writing program, works to coordinate the contest with the Academy to ensure that it is properly conducted each year. The prize coordinator serves as a liaison with the Academy, selecting judges and controlling such matters as the contest deadline, eligibility (a contest may be open to undergraduates, graduate students, or both), the number of poems to be submitted by each student, and local publicity.

Spring

The Academy supplies each coordinator with a form for reporting the contest results. The coordinator is required to provide contact information for the winner and data about the contest administration, as well as copies of each winning poem.

Each school awards $100 to a sole winner. In addition, one student may be selected for honorable mention.

The Academy sends awards and letters of congratulation to the winners, and also sends letters of congratulation to honorable mentions. All winners are announced in the Academy's Annual Report.

For questions, please contact Marti Irving, Programs Assistant.

Past Winners

2023 University & College Poetry Prizes
2022 University & College Poetry Prizes
2021 University & College Poetry Prizes
2020 University & College Poetry Prizes
2019 University & College Poetry Prizes
2018 University & College Poetry Prizes
2017 University & College Poetry Prizes
2016 University & College Poetry Prizes
2015 University & College Poetry Prizes

Participating Colleges & Universities 

Agnes Scott College
Prize Name: Janef Preston Poetry Prize
Founded: 1976
Donor: Agnes Scott College
2024 Prizewinner: Carole Gilley, “i count

University of Alabama
Prize Name: Hill-Kohn Prize
Founded: 1983
Donor: University of Alabama
2024 Prizewinner: Jessica Cordes, “Orcinus

Amherst College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1959
Donor: Trustees of Amherst College
2024 Prizewinner: Gabrielle Avena, “Slow Death of the Generic Tree Drawing

Aquinas College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2001
Donor: Mrs. Linda Nemec Foster
2024 Prizewinner: Lianne Martinez Bullain, “From Vibrant Colors, Bipolar Weather, and Alligators

Arizona State University
Prize Name: Katharine C. Turner Prize
Founded: 1994
Donor: Ms. Katharine C. Turner
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

University of Arizona
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1979
Donor: University of Arizona
2024 Prizewinner: Astrid Liu, “quiet midautumn night's haibun

University of Arkansas
Prize Name: C.D. Wright/Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2019
Donor: Geffrey Davis
2024 Prizewinner: Sarah Barch, “Gumdrops Line the Transmission Towers”

Auburn University
Prize Name: Robert Hughes Mount, Jr. Prize in Poetry
Founded: 1984
Donor: Mrs. Frances Mayes
2024 Prizewinner: Heidi VanderVelde, “I Saw My Dead Father in the Publix Produce Aisle

Augsburg University
Prize Name: John R. Mitchell Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: Mrs. Jeanette Mitchell
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Bard College
Prize Name: The Flow Chart Foundation/Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2002
Donor: David Kermani, The Flow Chart Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Anna Spiro, “we pretend we are not happening

Baylor University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1987
Donor: Beall Poetry Festival
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Beloit College
Prize Name: Beloit Poetry Journal Prize
Founded: 1979
Donor: Ms. Marion Stocking
2024 Prizewinner: Casey Barasch, “Parade Pt 2

Bennington College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2006
Donor: Kelly Green and Forrest MacGregor
2024 Prizewinner: Willa Brosnihan, “Whales

Bergen Community College
Prize Name: The Steven W. Chung Poetry Prize
Founded: 2013
Donor: Steven W. Chung
2024 Prizewinner: R.J. Tierney, “Girl in a Kimono

Boston University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1980
Donor: Boston University Creative Writing Program
2024 Prizewinner: Alejandro Aguirre, “Trailer Park Garden

Bowdoin College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Colette Inez Poetry Prize
Founded: 1979
Donor: Mr. Jack Miller
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Bradley University
Prize Name: Sipple Poetry Prize
Founded: 1986
Donor: Bradley University
2024 Prizewinner: L.T. Ward, “Do not call me strong

Brandeis University
Prize Name: The Ramón Feliciano Poetry Prize
Founded: 2002
Donor: Mariana Mcdonald
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Brigham Young University
Prize Name: Ethel Lowry Handley Poetry Prize
Founded: 2001
Donor: Helen Houghton
2024 Prizewinner: Samantha M. Sorenson, “Thoughts While Watching My Mother Make Dinner

Brooklyn College, CUNY
Prize Name: Burton A. Goldberg Poetry Prize
Founded: 1987
Donor: Burton A. Goldberg
2024 Prizewinner: Isabelle Cachia-Riedl, “Fugue

Brown University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2008
Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Leander McCormick-Goodhart
2024 Prizewinner: Pranav Gundrala, “Selected Flowers

Bryn Mawr College
Prize Name: Prize in Memory of Marie Bullock
Founded: 1957
Donor: Mrs. Peter McCormick
2024 Prizewinner: Mel G, “A is for Anoush

California State University, Fresno (undergraduate)
Prize Name: Larry Levis Memorial Prize
Founded: 1997
Donor: The Friends of Larry Levis
2024 Prizewinner: Emily Peacock, “a series of letters out

California State University, Fresno (graduate)
Prize Name: Ernesto Trejo Memorial Prize
Founded: 1982
Donor: The Friends of Ernesto Trejo
2024 Prizewinner: Phoua Lee, “pov: asian girl vendetta no. ∞”

California State University, Los Angeles
Prize Name: Henri Coulette Memorial Award
Founded: 1979
Donor: California State University, Los Angeles
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

California State University, Northridge
Prize Name: George Dillon Memorial Award
Founded: 1968
Donor: California State University, Northridge
2024 Prizewinner: Gianne Braza, “Sonnet for My Autistic Brother

University of California, Berkeley
Prize Name: Harold Taylor Prize
Founded: 1963
Donor: The New Hope Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

University of California, Davis
Prize Name: Celeste Turner Wright Poetry Prize
Founded: 1979
Donor: Prof. Celeste Turner Wright
2024 Prizewinner: Emily Anne Granger, “Highway Hosts

University of California, Irvine
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1969
Donor: Mr. Walter J. Thomson
2024 Prizewinner: Somi Jun, "Threshold"

University of California, Los Angeles
Prize Name: Fred and Edith Herman Memorial Prize
Founded: 1963
Donor: Ms. Joan LaBombard
2024 Prizewinner: Eli Nachimson, “autism screening questionnaire

California Polytechnic State University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1988
Donor: California Polytechnic State University
2024 Prizewinner: Sarah Marks, “Permission

Calvin College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2009
Donor: Calvin College
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Carnegie Mellon University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1977
Donor: Carnegie Mellon University
2024 Prizewinner: Annie Nguyễn, “Coma

Central Michigan University
Prize Name: Eric Torgersen Poetry Prize
Founded: 2010
Donor: Phillip Sterling
2024 Prizewinner: Juliana Theis, “Barbie and Ken

Central Pennsylvania College
Prize Name: Geraldine G. Britcher Poetry Prize
Founded: 2009
Donor: Mr. Raymond W. Britcher
2024 Prizewinner: Haylee Boggs, “The Crow and I”

Centre College
Prize Name: Paul Cantrell Poetry Prize
Founded: 2000
Donor: Mr. Phillip Sterling
2024 Prizewinner: Taylor Broder, “Virgin, in its least pure form

Chatham University
Prize Name: The Laurie Mansell Reich Poetry Prize
Founded: 2005
Donor: Laurie and Henry Reich
2024 Prizewinner: Ashley Christian, “Home Buried

University of Cincinnati
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1999
Donor: The George Elliston Poetry Foundation
2024 Co-Prizewinners: Leila Chatti (graduate), "Living," and Tyler McDonald (undergraduate), “Zuihitsu on Braiding and Wishing to be a Cricket

The City College of San Francisco
Prize Name: The Felicia Farr Lemon Poetry Prize
Founded: 1982
Donor: Mrs. Felicia Farr Lemmon
2024 Prizewinner: Ruben Diaz, “Emotional Spaces

Cleveland State University
Prize Name: Alberta Turner Poetry Prize
Founded: 2008
Donor: Cleveland State University
2024 Prizewinner: Stephanie Ginese, “Prints”

Colorado State University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1997
Donor: Colorado State University Faculty and Administration
2024 Prizewinner: Tashiana Seebeck, “Ars Poetica at the End of Girlhood

Columbia College Chicago
Prize Name: Eileen Lannan Poetry Prize
Founded: 1988
Donor: The Lannan Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Huckleberry Shelf, “prepositions

Columbia University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1957
Donor: Anonymous
2024 Prizewinner: Esther Sun, “New York

Connecticut College
Prize Name: Charles B. Palmer Poetry Award
Founded: 1979
Donor: Connecticut College
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Cooper Union
Prize Name: Elizabeth Kray Prize
Founded: 1983
Donor: Cooper Union
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded 

Cornell College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1990
Donor: Ms. Alice Louise Haug
2024 Prizewinner: Varun Ramrakhiani, “Why I Love Scheherazade

Cornell University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: Litowitz Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Creighton University
Prize Name: Oscar M. Macelliao Poetry Prize
Founded: 1989
Donor: The Lannan Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Amanda La O Cartaya, “No Translation

Dartmouth College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1957
Donor: Dartmouth College
2024 Prizewinner: Maeve A. Kenney, “The Small Things

Davidson College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2019
Donor: Elizabeth Wade
2024 Prizewinner: Isabel Smith, “daisy

University of Delaware
Prize Name: Harold Taylor Prize
Founded: 1957
Donor: The New Hope Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Vincent Olivieri, “I’ve folded multiple successful fortune tellers out of the napkins while we’ve been sitting here so I’m pretty sure we’re onto something

University of Denver
Prize Name: Edward M. Lannan Poetry Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: The Lannan Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Dickinson College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: Dickinson College
2024 Prizewinner: Lily Bibro, “1 Gillot Road”

Drew University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2006
Donor: Susan Vartanian Barba
2024 Prizewinner: SHAY, “Palestine (Apocalypse)

Duke University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: The Biddle Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Nima Babajani-Feremi, “Dreams to Persepolis

Elizabethtown College
Prize Name: The Raymond and Mausolene Stouffer Prize
Founded: 2013
Donor: Mr. Raymond W. Britcher
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Emerson College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2003
Donor: Emerson College
2024 Co-Prizewinners: Jennah Figueroa (graduate), “Ripening,” and Annalisa Hansford (undergraduate), “Abecedarian for My Future Lover

Emory University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1975
Donor: The Friends of Creative Writing
2024 Prizewinner: Isabel Cuellar Ferreira, “As it turns out he wasn't even buried under the pine tree

Florida International University
Prize Name: Christopher F. Kelly Award for Poetry
Founded: 1987
Donor: Mr. John Bond
2024 Prizewinner: Ana María Caballero, “Milk

Florida State University

Prize Name: John MacKay Shaw Academy of American Poets Award
Donor: Florida State University
2024 Co-Prizewinners: Olivia Sokolowski (graduate), "Tourist Bracelet," and Victoria D'Amico (undergraduate), "How to Make a Birthday Cake"

Fordham University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2005
Donor: Fordham University
2024 Prizewinner: Prettystar Lopez, “[SOMEWHERE OFF THE CROSS BRONX EXPRESSWAY]”

Franklin and Marshall College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2005
Donor: Mr. and Mrs. C. Hunter Boll
2024 Prizewinner: Sarah Nicell, “Eucharist: Digesting Men

George Mason University
Prize Name: The Joseph A. Lohman III Poetry Prize
Founded: 2003
Donor: Ms. Judith V. Lelchook
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

George Washington University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets College Prize
Founded: 1990
Donor: George Washington University
2024 Prizewinner: Aurea Day, “Confessional

Georgetown University
Prize Name: Ora Mary Pelham Poetry Prize
Founded: 1988
Donor: The Lannan Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Clayton Kincade, “A Sonnet to my Scottish Forefathers

Georgia College
Prize Name: Frankye Davis Mayes Prize
Founded: 2000
Donor: Mrs. Frances Mayes
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Georgia State University
Prize Name: The Robert V. Morea III Poetry Prize
Founded: 2018
Donor: Dr. Katherine Kincer
2024 Prizewinner: Chris Ketchum, “Horseshoe Crab

Gettysburg College
Prize Name: Marion Zulauf Prize
Founded: 1987
Donor: Mr. Sander Zulauf
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Grinnell College
Prize Name: Lorabel Richardson/Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1994
Donor: Ms. Alice Louise Haug
2024 Prizewinner: Isaiah Schlimm, “Nixon's Imperial Seals

Hamilton College
Prize Name: Doris M. and Ralph E. Hansmann Poetry Prize
Founded: 1962
Donor: Hamilton College
2024 Prizewinner: Gabriela De Mendonca Gomes, “Lingua Dupla

Harrisburg Area Community College
Prize Name: Dale T. Guhl Memorial Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: Mr. Raymond W. Britcher
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Hartwick College
Prize Name: Anna Sonder Prize
Founder: 1979
Donor: Dr. Otto Sonder
2024 Prizewinner: Sofia Escobar, “Sky Scorpion

Harvard University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1955
Donor: Harvard University
2024 Prizewinner: Leila Jackson, “Exit Wound

Haverford College
Prize Name: James C. Ransom Poetry Prize
Founded: 2006
Donor: Jason Fritz and James Haglund
2024 Prizewinner: Maia Schwallie, “Raspberry Juice

University of Hawai’i at Manoa
Prize Name: Harold Taylor Prize
Founded: 1980
Donor: The New Hope Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Sierra Choi, “refrain

Hofstra University
Prize Name: Nancy P. Schnader Poetry Award
Founded: 1974
Donor: Hofstra University
2024 Prizewinner: Kogen Serrano, “Radio Glenside

University of Houston
Prize Name: Brazos Bookstore/ Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1983
Donor: Mr. Karl Kilian
2024 Prizewinner: Kelan Nee, “Cathedral

Hollins University
Prize Name: Gertrude Claytor Poetry Prize
Founded: 1971
Donor: Mr. W. Graham Claytor, Jr.
2024 Prizewinner: Rebecca Edgren, “Georgia O’Keeffe, Painting through Pelvis Bone III

College of the Holy Cross
Prize Name: Dominick Lepore Poetry Award
Founded: 1992
Donor: Dominick J. Lepore
2024 Prizewinner: Lilly Baumfeld, “Stick Season Sestina

Hope College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2002
Donor: Hope College
2024 Prizewinner: AnnaLeah Lacoss, “(keeping out the coyotes)

Hunter College
Prize Name: Catalina Páez and Seumas MacManus Award
Founded: 1987
Donor: Miss Patricia MacManus, Mrs. Mariquita M. Mullan
2024 Co-Prizewinners: Seth Amos, "A Smile for Frances," and Raki Jordan, "Fatherless Home"

University of Idaho
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2009
Donor: Karen Trujillo and Don Burnett
2024 Prizewinner: Miriam Akervall, “Mormor's Interview: 1998

Illinois College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2003
Donor: Ms. Deborah Klang Smith
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded 

Illinois Wesleyan University
Prize Name: Arthur William Hinners and Louise Hinners Sipfle Poetry Prize
Founded: 1980
Donor: Friends and Family of Louise Hinners Sipfle
2024 Prizewinner: Farah Bassyouni, “رحم // mercy

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Prize Name: Ruth Llewellyn Baird Prize
Founded: 1966
Donor: Mrs. Robert D. Wood
2024 Prizewinner: Chloe Hensler, “A Tuesday During March

Indiana University Bloomington
Prize Name: The Vera Meyer Strube Poetry Prize
Founded: 2003
Donor: Jean Meyer Aloe
2024 Prizewinner: Teja Sudhakar, “TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW / ABOUT DISMEMBERMENT

Indiana State University
Prize Name: The Madeline DeGaetano Memorial Poetry Prize
Founded: 1996
Donor: Dr. Elaine L. Kleiner
2024 Prizewinner: Basia Bryan, “Cleaning Out the Closet of a Dead Relative

Institute of American Indian Arts
Prize Name: The Betty and Norman Lockwood Poetry Prize
Founded: 2012
Donor: James Harder
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop
Prize Name: Harold Taylor Prize
Founded: 1957
Donor: The New Hope Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Victoria Sanchez, “The Accountant

Johns Hopkins University
Prize Name: The Laureen Rita Schipsi Poetry Prize
Founded: 2011
Donor: Mr. Thomas Newton Bolling
2024 Prizewinner: Eben Woo, ”Trips to H-Mart

Kenyon College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1975
Donor: Kenyon College
2024 Prizewinner: Marilyn Gates, “World

Keystone College
Prize Name: Edward M. Cameron IV Poetry Prize
Founded: 1990
Donor: The Lyric Foundation for Traditional Poetry
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Lafayette College
Prize Name: Jean E. Corrie Poetry Prize
Founded: 1989
Donor: The Lyric Foundation for Traditional Poetry
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Lewis and Clark College
Prize Name: Vern Rutsala Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1975
Donor: Lewis and Clark College
2024 Prizewinner: Ashly N. Flores, “reciting Ginsberg in the shower

Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus
Prize Name: John and Agnes McCarten Memorial Award
Founded: 1967
Donor: Ms. Jeanne Marie Scott
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Loyola University Maryland
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2004
Donor: Loyola University Maryland
2024 Prizewinner: Taylor Moyer, “What There Might Be To Know

Loyola University of Chicago
Prize Name: Dr. Frank C. Lawler Poetry Prize
Founded: 1988
Donor: The Lannan Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

University of Lynchburg
Prize name: Miriam T. and Jude M. Pfister Poetry Prize
Founded: 2015
Donor: Miriam T. and Jude M. Pfister
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Macalester College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1983
Donor: Macalester College
2024 Prizewinner: Miriam Ruiz, “Bull-Headed

Marietta College
Prize Name: The Stephen Schwartz Prize in Poetry
Founded: 2005
Donor: Laura Baudo Sillerman
2024 Prizewinner: Olivia Lemasters, “swimming with serial killers”

University of Maryland, College Park
Prize Name: Prize in Memory of Anaïs Nin
Founded: 1984
Donor: Mr. Robert W. Newcomb
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

University of Mary Washington
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2005
Donor: The Poetry Society of Virginia
2024 Prizewinner: Emily Bailey, “Why Wonder, Why Wander?

University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Prize Name: Joseph Langland Prize
Founded: 1975
Donor: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
2024 Prizewinner: Suzanne Bagia, “It Is the Women Who Cry

University of Massachusetts, Boston
Prize Name: Harold Taylor Prize
Founded: 1975
Donor: The New Hope Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: A.H. Salazar, “God's Work

University of Memphis
Prize Name: The Deborah L. Talbot Poetry Award
Founded: 2002
Donor: Deborah L. Talbot
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Messiah University
Prize Name: Carrie A. Guhl Poetry Prize
Founded: 2009
Donor: Mr. Raymond W. Britcher
2024 Prizewinner: Evelyn Kelly, “We in Our Worship

Miami-Dade College
Prize Name: Fred Shaw Poetry Prize
Founded: 1973
Donor: Kathleen Welton
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Miami University (undergraduate)
Prize Name: Harris S. Abrahams Poetry Prize
Founded: 2000
Donor: Mr. Jeffrey Abrahams
2024 Prizewinner: Max Kaufman, “The Box

Miami University (graduate)
Prize Name: Betty Jane Abrahams Memorial Poetry Prize
Founded: 2001
Donor: Mr. Jeffrey Abrahams
2024 Prizewinner: Matt Farley, “Two Cardinals

University of Miami
Prize Name: Alfred Boas Poetry Prize
Founded: 1993
Donor: University of Miami
2024 Prizewinner: Sankara Olama-Yai, “Erasure of Rape Apology Letters from my former love

Millersville University
Prize Name: Louis Darrell Sage Poetry Prize
Founded: 2015
Donor: Mr. Raymond W. Britcher
2024 Prizewinner: Reagan Gorham, “I went to college in Virginia for a year

University of Michigan (undergraduate)
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1995
Donor: Mrs. Sharon A. Galley
2024 Prizewinner: Giovanni Smith, “out of body day 1

University of Michigan (graduate)
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: Mrs. Sharon A. Galley
2024 Prizewinner: Lailah Fritz, “Dawn

University of Minnesota
Prize Name: James Wright Prize in Poetry
Founded: 1963
Donor: University of Minnesota
2024 Prizewinner: Isabel Zacharias, “the singing season

Mississippi State University
Prize Name: Joy Taylor Rieves Poetry Prize
Founded: 2021
Donor: Mississippi State University
2024 Prizewinner: Haylee Morman, “Mother Land

University of Missouri at Columbia
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1990
Donor: University of Missouri
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

University of Montana
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1974
Donor: University of Montana
2024 Prizewinner: Trinity Herr, “beaches. why I don’t care for them

Mount Holyoke College
Prize Name: Gertrude Claytor Poetry Prize
Founded: 1960
Donor: Mr. W. Graham Claytor, Jr.
2024 Prizewinner: Summer LoPriore, “Mummy

Muskingum University
Prize Name: Beulah Brooks Brown Award in Poetry
Founded: 1993
Donor: Muskingum University
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Naropa University
Prize Name: The Margaret Randall Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2009
Donor: Friends of Margaret Randall
2024 Prizewinner: Sambhavi Jayashree Ashok, “I'm ready now

University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Prize Name: Wilbur Gaffney Poetry Prize
Founded: 1963
Donor: Professor Emeritus Wilbur Gaffney
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

University of Nebraska, MFA
Prize Name: Helen W. Kenefick Poetry Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: Mr. John C. Kenefick
2024 Prizewinner: Ashley DeVrieze, “Seasons

New Jersey City University
Prize Name: The Walter Glospie Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2004
Donor: New Jersey City University
2024 Prizewinner: Gianna Valdez, “44°14'32.0"N 68°17'57.7"W

University of New Orleans
Prize Name: Andrea Saunders Gereighty Poetry Award
Founded: 1986
Donor: Ms. Andrea S. Gereighty
2024 Prizewinner: Lin Flores, “Tio's Eulogy

New Mexico State University
Prize Name: Ruth Scott Poetry Award
Founded: 2005
Donor: Judith N. Scott
2024 Prizewinner: Camdyn Bass, “Put Down Your Weapons

New York University
Prize Name: Judith Lobel Arkin Poetry Prize
Founded: 2011
Donor: The Arkin Family
2024 Prizewinner: Corey Baron, “All the Hollow Parts of Us

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Prize Name: The Anne Williams Burrus Prize in Poetry
Founded: 1963
Donor: Mrs. Ann W. Burrus
2024 Prizewinner: Blaine Purcell, “While I'm tryna dance in Goodfellows

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Prize Name: Noel Callow Poetry Award
Founded: 1963
Donor: Anonymous
2024 Prizewinner: James Daniels, “We Are All Starved for Touch

North Carolina State University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2005
Donor: North Carolina State University
2024 Prizewinner: Phi Chu, “Funeral

University of North Dakota
Prize Name: The Thomas McGrath Prize
Founded: 1979
Donor: University of North Dakota
2024 Prizewinner: Veronika Linstrom , “어 리 다” 

Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

University of North Texas
Prize Name: Paul R. Voertman Prize
Founded: 2013
Donor: University of North Texas
2024 Prizewinner: Meg McManama, “Elegy to My Mother's Breasts

Northwestern University
Prize Name: Jean Meyer Aloe Poetry Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: Jean Meyer Aloe
2024 Prizewinner: Ilana Hutzler, "After October 7

University of Notre Dame
Prize Name: The Billy Maich Award
Founded: 2005
Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Jessica Maich
2024 Prizewinner: Isabel Boutiette, “Figure 1

Ohio State University
Prize Name: Arthur Rense Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: Ms. Paige Rense
2024 Prizewinner: Misha Ponnuraju, “Letter to 外公 (or, Wàigōng, or My Mother’s Father)

Oklahoma State University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1978
Donor: Oklahoma State University
2024 Prizewinner: Jerilynn Aquino, “Let Me Thank Taíno Ancestors and Say They Were Right

Old Dominion University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2006
Donor: The Poetry Society of Virginia
2024 Prizewinner: Madi Dill, “Hangover Birds

Oregon State University
Prize Name: Weaver Undergraduate Poetry Award
Founded: 1986
Donor: Oregon State University
2024 Prizewinner: Flora Snowden, “You Could Almost Call This a Confession but I’m Too Tired To Offer Up Any Shame”

Pace University
Prize Name: David A. Bickimer—Promise of Learnings Poetry Prize
Founded: 2002
Donor: The Promise of Learnings Inc.
2024 Prizewinner: Emily Shafer, “swing time

Pennsylvania State Harrisburg
Prize Name: Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller Prize
Founded: 2013
Donor: Mr. Raymond W. Britcher
2024 Prizewinner: Caitlyn Henzie, “Remembrance

Pennsylvania State University
Prize Name: Leonard Steinberg Memorial Prize
Founded: 1979
Donor: Mrs. Pearl Steinberg
2024 Prizewinner: Aliyah Rios, “Evidence of our Existence

University of Pennsylvania
Prize Name: William Carlos Williams Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: University of Pennsylvania
2024 Prizewinner: Christos Kalli, “Short History of O” 

Perimeter College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1999
Donor: The Chattahoochee Review
2019 Winner: No prize awarded 

Piedmont College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2012
Donor: Barbara Brown Taylor
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded 

University of Pittsburgh
Prize Name: Jean Meyer Aloe Poetry Prize
Founded: 1979
Donor: Jean Meyer Aloe
2024 Co-Prizewinners: Lila Bonow (graduate), “Love Poem,” and Trish Le (undergraduate), “All I want for Christmas is my pink T-Mobile flip phone back

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Prize Name: The Colleen M. Brown Prize
Founded: 2012
Donor: Mr. Raymond W. Britcher
2024 Prizewinner: Fernando Disla, “currents

Portland State University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1986
Donor: The Portland State University Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Aspen Hansen, “Brokedown Palace

Pratt Institute
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1992
Donor: Pratt Institute
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded 

Princeton University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1955
Donor: Drs. William F. and Jerene Hewitt
2024 Prizewinner: Ivy Chen, “July in Xi'an

Purdue University
Prize Name: The Thomas H. Scholl and Elizabeth Boyd Thompson Poetry Prize
Founded: 2006
Donor: Thomas H. Scholl
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Randolph College
Prize Name: Charles and Fanny Fay Wood Poetry Prize
Founded: 1963
Donor: Philip Morris Companies, Inc.
2024 Co-Prizewinners: Mia S. Willis (graduate), “unbridled.,” and Savannah Gale (undergraduate), “Rest

University of Redlands
Prize Name: Jean Burden Award
Founded: 1984
Donor: Ms. Virginia Everett Smith
2024 Prizewinner: Katie Grierson, “Circles

Reed College
Prize Name: The Mary Barnard Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1994
Donor: Reed College
2024 Prizewinner: Estella Burque, “From the Marsh

University of Richmond
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: The Poetry Society of Virginia
2024 Prizewinner: Mackenzie Proukou, “Confession”

Rice University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1986
Donor: Joyce Pounds Hardy
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded 

University of Rochester
Prize Name: Marion Devendorf Van Laak Poetry Prize
Founded: 1975
Donor: University of Rochester
2024 Prizewinner: Alayna Leestma, “Utopian Prelude and Dystopian Fugue

Rockford University
Prize Name: Colleen Holmbeck Poetry Prize
Founded: 1984
Donor: Rockford University
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Rollins College
Prize Name: Arden Goettling / Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1955
Donor: Family and Friends of Arden Goettling
2024 Prizewinners: No prize awarded

Rutgers University
Prize Name: Enid Dame Memorial Poetry Prize
Founded: 2005
Donor: Jeanne Marie Beaumont
2024 Prizewinner: Veeda Khan, “Madonna on the Mechanical Bull

St. John’s University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2006
Donor: Thomas McInerney
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded 

St. Lawrence University
Prize Name: James Ligon Price III Memorial Prize in Poetry
Founded: 1975
Donor: St. Lawrence University
2024 Prizewinner: jack gaulter, “how to get worse

Saint Mary’s College of California
Prize Name: Russell and Yvonne Lannan Poetry Prize
Founded: 1988
Donor: The Lannan Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded 

Sam Houston State University
Prize Name: The William C. Weathers Memorial Prize
Founded: 2002
Donor: Ms. Melissa Morphew
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

San Francisco State University (undergraduate)
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Piri Thomas Poetry Prize
Founded: 2009
Donors: Friends and Family of Piri Thomas
2024 Prizewinner: Jess Carranza Montoya, “No pensaba qué iba llegar este día

San Francisco State University (graduate)
Prize Name: Harold Taylor Prize
Founded: 1996
Donors: The New Hope Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

University of San Francisco
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2009
Donor: University of San Francisco
2024 Prizewinner: Audrey Walker, “Untitled Pantoum"

San Jose State University
Prize Name: Virginia de Araujo Prize
Founded: 1981
Donor: Virginia de Araujo Trust
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Santa Clara University
Prize Name: Tamara Verga Poetry Prize
Founded: 1995
Donor: Victoria Verga Logan and Frank Verga, Jr.
2024 Prizewinner: Mei Backof, “Flower Mother, Fever Daughter

Sarah Lawrence College (undergraduate)
Prize Name: Harold Taylor Prize
Founded: 1974
Donor: The New Hope Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Sarah Lawrence College (graduate)
Prize Name: The John B. Santoianni Award for Excellence in Poetry
Founded: 2005
Donor: Joseph McCrindle and Charmaine Ferenczi
2024 Prizewinner: Hannah Butcher, “Shana Rishona

Shimer Great Books School at North Central College
Prize Name: Ruth Cooley Poetry Prize
Founded: 1976
Donor: Mr. Peter Cooley
2024 Prizewinner: Sophia Mae Hiatt, “Lessons in Vampirism

Shippensburg University
Prize Name: Laura A. Rice Poetry Prize
Founded: 2015
Donor: Laura A. Rice Poetry Prize
2024 Prizewinner: Shaley Spivey, ”A Sonnet on Lesbian Sex and the Medieval Warrior”

Skidmore College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: Skidmore College
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Smith College
Prize Name: Anne Bradstreet Prize
Founded: 1955
Donor: Smith College
2024 Prizewinner: Helen Marino, “Self Portrait, 1988

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (undergraduate)
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: Mr. Rodney Jones
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (graduate)
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1998
Donor: Carolyn Forman Moe
2024 Prizewinner: Brock William Storey, “If it is not enough to say: My best friend is dead. I miss him

Spelman College
Prize Name: Edith A. Hambie Poetry Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: Friends and Family of Edith Hambie
2024 Prizewinner: Renée Anderson, “From Carlo There Came”

Spring Hill College
Prize Name: Reverend Andrew C. Smith, S.J., Poetry Prize
Founded: 1988
Donor: The Lannan Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Abigail Davis, “Skin

Stetson University
Prize Name: The Holly M. Kimball Poetry Prize
Founded: 2005
Donor: Mr. Phillip Blumberg
2024 Prizewinners: Hosanna Rae, “i

SUNY Albany
Prize Name: Phyllis Hurd Liston Poetry Prize
Founded: 1998
Donor: The Liston Family
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

SUNY Binghamton
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1979
Donor: SUNY Binghamton
2024 Co-Prizewinners: Derek Ellis (graduate), “Rehearsing the Death of My Father,” and Grigory Stanskiy (undergraduate), “Modernity” 

SUNY Buffalo (graduate)
Prize Name: Dan Liberthson Poetry Prize
Founded: 2010
Donor: Mr. Dan Liberthson
2024 Prizewinner: a.m.d., “the gravesite on center road

SUNY Buffalo (undergraduate)
Prize Name: The Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1974
Donor: SUNY Buffalo
2024 Prizewinner: Claire L. McDonough, “My Friend, the Crow

SUNY Farmingdale
Prize Name: Raynor Wallace Poetry Award
Founded: 1988
Donor: SUNY Farmingdale
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

SUNY Oswego
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1983
Donor: Mr. John W. Mincher, Jr.
2024 Prizewinner: K.J. Loughran, “Windows

Swarthmore College
Prize Name: Nathalie F. Anderson Prize
Founded: 2021
Donor: Alumni of Swarthmore College
2024 Co-Prizewinners: Foster Hudson (graduate), “Car With One Headlight,” and Ivy Hoffman (undergraduate), “Grendel's Mother

Sweet Briar College
Prize Name: The Jean Taylor Meyer Memorial Poetry Prize
Founded: 2003
Donor: Jean Meyer Aloe
2024 Prizewinner: Jess Munley, “The New Boyfriend

Temple University
Prize Name: Albert J. Caplan Prize
Founded: 1985
Donor: Mr. Albert J. Caplan
2024 Prizewinner: M. Marti, “borscht, after Berrigan

University of Texas at Austin
Prize Name: Andrew Julius Gutow Poetry Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: The Andrew Julius Gutow Memorial Fund
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

Trinity College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1997
Donor: Trinity College
2024 Prizewinner: Sadie Zeiner-Morrish, “The Octopus

Tufts University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1957
Donor: Tufts University
2024 Prizewinner: Zacchai (Sage) Singer, “Monterey” 

Tulane University
Prize Name: Anselle M. Larson / Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: Mr. Herbert V. Larson, Jr.
2024 Prizewinner: Sydney Soganich, “On Queerness” 

United States Naval Academy
Prize Name: Stuart Pitt Memorial Poetry Prize
Founded: 1975
Donor: Mrs. A. Stuart Pitt
2024 Prizewinner: Madeline Torrez, “scientific inquiries from my kitchen window” 

University of Utah
Prize Name: Larry Levis Memorial Poetry Prize
Founded: 1969
Donor: University of Utah
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded 

Valdosta State University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1986
Donor: Mr. Edward Davin Vickers
2024 Prizewinner: Rachel Larson, “Cesar Ceballos's 'Ocean Rising'

Valparaiso University
Prize Name: Vivian S. Richards Memorial Prize
Founded: 1988
Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Nancy and Michael Becker
2024 Prizewinner: Emily Fletcher, “Hiraeth

Vanderbilt University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: Vanderbilt University
2024 Prizewinner: Sydney Mayes, “the walker system

Vassar College
Prize Name: Mary Rousmaniere Gordon Prize
Founded: 1955
Donor: Mr. Albert H. Gordon
2024 Prizewinner: Nandini Likki, “Tumblr Cento

University of Virginia
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2013
Donor: Henry Hoyns Bequest, Charles Wright
2024 Prizewinner: Kaitlyn Airy, “I once lived in a three-story mansion on 17th street

Virginia Commonwealth University
Prize Name: Catherine and Joan Byrne Poetry Prize
Founded: 2002
Donor: Nan Byrne
2024 Prizewinner: Sarp Armağan Demiral, “Human Landscapes from my Datça

Virginia Tech
Prize name: Virginia Tech / Poetry Society of Virginia Prize
Founded: 2007
Donor: The Poetry Society of Virginia
2024 Prizewinner: Emelia Kamadulski, “[this film is a montage of bears eating]

Wake Forest University
Prize name: Academy of American Poets/Edwin G. Wilson Prize
Founded: 2022
Donor: Wake Forest University
2024 Prizewinner: Jasmine Marshall, ”Portals

Washington College
Prize Name: The Jude and Miriam Pfister Poetry Prize
Founded: 2013
Donor: Dr. and Mrs. Jude Pfister
2024 Prizewinner: Carly Townsend, “It's my birthday and I was gifted a life-size plastic skeleton"

Washington and Lee University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: Anonymous
2024 Prizewinner: Watson Deacon, “Theodicy”

Washington University
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1968
Donor: Washington University
2024 Co-Prizewinners: Ameen Animashaun (graduate), “Song,” and Katie Lee (undergraduate), “My Cousin Jasmine Hates Me

University of Washington
Prize Name: Harold Taylor Prize
Founded: 1957
Donor: The New Hope Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Sara Cline, “Release of Liability

Wayne State University
Prize Name: John Clare Prize
Founded: 1984
Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Nancy and Michael Becker
2024 Prizewinner: Chuck McKeever, “Clark Park, Spring

Wellesley College
Prize Name: Nevin Prize
Founded: 1957
Donor: The Family of Betty Nevin Marshall and Robert Nevin
2024 Prizewinner: Izzy Toy Rettke, “Ghosts of Cartilage

Wells College
Prize Name: Catharine B. De Pau Poetry Prize
Founded: 1983
Donor: The Lyric Foundation for Traditional Poetry
2024 Prizewinner: Abigail Colvin, “Graveyard Shifts”

Wesleyan College
Prize Name: George Warren Gignilliat, Jr. Poetry Prize
Founded: 1984
Donor: J. Edward and Ruth Cox Lantz
2024 Prizewinner: Ashanti Jacobs, “Whispering Cicadas

Wesleyan University
Prize Name: Sarah Hannah Memorial Prize
Founded: 2008
Donor: Kate Bernheimer
2024 Prizewinners: Gray Sansom-Chiason, ”Tribute”

Westminster College
Prize Name: Anne Newman Sutton Weeks Prize
Founded: 1999
Donor: Westminster College
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

College of William and Mary
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 1983
Donor: Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda
2024 Prizewinner: Trung Phi, “Ông's Hammock

Williams College
Prize Name: Bullock Poetry Prize
Founded: 1955
Donor: The Academy of American Poets
2024 Prizewinner: Yeldana Talgatkyzy, “First Bull of the Spanish Enlightenment

Wilson College
Prize Name: The William and Ivy Saylor Prize
Founded: 2013
Donor: Mr. Raymond W. Britcher
2024 Prizewinner: Madeline Neway, “Mother None, III

University of Wisconsin, Madison
Prize Name: George B. Hill Poetry Prize
Founded: 2004
Donor: Kevin P. Bjerregaard
2024 Prizewinner: No prize awarded

College of Wooster
Prize Name: Cora Owlett Latzer Award
Founded: 1983
Donor: Ms. Susan Donnell
2024 Prizewinner: Gabriel Z. McCreath, “Vision of St. Augustine (Ars Poetica)

Yale University
Prize Name: Sean T. Lannan Poetry Prize
Founded: 1955
Donor: The Lannan Foundation
2024 Prizewinner: Jaye Chen , “altars for hetairai

Yonsei University / Underwood International College
Prize Name: Academy of American Poets Prize
Founded: 2011
Donor: Yonsei University
2024 Prizewinner: Yejun Chun, “Mona Lisa Ode”

York College of Pennsylvania
Prize Name: Mary Jane’s Diamond Prize
Founded: 2015
Donor: Mr. Raymond W. Britcher
2024 Prizewinner: Lee Krauss, “Plath Confessional

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