Wolford and Lenore Swimmer established the Evelyn Hovanec Creative Writing Award in recognition of her retirement in 2001. The award honors Dr. Hovanec’s 35 years of service to Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus and Penn State Greater Allegheny and her lifetime commitment to creative teaching, scholarship, and writing related to Fayette County and Southwestern Pennsylvania, especially its coal and coke history and culture.
Recognition
Winning composition to receive local, campus, and university-wide recognition and publicity
Presentation
Award to be presented at a cultural event in Swimmer Hall
Judges
Panel of judges to consist of credible professionals, selected from current and retired Fayette Campus faculty, off-campus writers or teachers, University Park scholars, and Evelyn Hovanec. Judges have the option of deciding not to make an award
Judging Criteria
Originality, insightfulness, craftsmanship, readability, regional relevance, and/or universal relevance
Award Administrator
Fayette Campus English Department Faculty Member
Award Guidelines
Eligibility:
Current students, current or retired faculty and staff and alumni of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
Content:
Preferably related to culture, society or history of Fayette County or Southwestern Pennsylvania, but any outstanding composition may be considered
Types of writing considered:
Poems, short stories, novels, plays, and creative non-fiction (books, essays, journalism)
Limits:
* Poetry submissions: three to five poems
* Submissions in other categories limited to one
* One entry per person in each category—except for poems
Two award categories and prizes:
* $250 for current students of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
* $250 for non-students of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus (current or retired faculty and staff, and alumni)
Manuscript specifications:
* Must have a title for each entry.
* Must be original work of contestant.
* Must be typed or computer generated and double spaced or presented in acceptable published print (pertains to entries already published).
Submission procedures:
* Include cover letter with author’s name, address, phone number and email address.
* Indicate your status in cover letter: current student of Penn State Fayette or alumni, faculty, staff or retiree of Penn State Fayette.
* Attach to cover letter a brief biographical sketch.
* Include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage if entry is to be returned.
Contact the Academic Affairs Office (724-430-4140) for additional submission information and deadlines.
Publication status of material:
Material may be published before prize award is made.