Awards, Scholarships and Prizes
Cowell Service and Leadership Awards
Winners selected by Student Life Staff.
Please Submit Entries electronically here, or in-person to Cowell 116 by Friday, May 3, 2024.
Applicants must be COWELL-affiliated students, unless otherwise specified in the description of the award.
For complete criteria contact the Cowell College Academic Manager.
Cowell Service Citation – Acknowledges a Cowell student for outstanding contributions to the life of Cowell College. All college staff members are asked by email to make nominations, and student life staff deliberates to select 8 to 15 winners. No self-nomination.
Carol Freeman Leadership Award – Acknowledges a graduating Cowell senior for exemplary leadership, service, and commitment to the Cowell College community. Established by the Cowell student senate to honor former (1992-97) Cowell Provost Carol Freeman, Senior Lecturer in Writing. Self-nomination allowed. (Award: $100)
John Lynch Multicultural Service Award – Acknowledges a student who has enhanced the understanding and visibility of the ethnic and cultural diversity of the Cowell College community. It honors former Provost (1983-89) and Professor of Classics John P. Lynch. Self-nomination allowed. (Award: $100)
Cassius Ellis Memorial Award – Acknowledges a Cowell College student for academic achievement combined with service in the off-campus community. This award honors the memory of Cassius Ellis, the first night proctor of Cowell College. Self-nomination allowed. (Award: $300)
Other Cowell Prizes
Please Submit Entries electronically here, or in-person to Cowell 116 by Friday, May 3, 2024.
For complete criteria contact the Cowell College Academic Manager.
Provost’s Undergraduate Scholarship – Awarded to Cowell students in recognition of academic excellence and achievement. Senior Preceptor presents records of students with top academic records to Provost. Provost selects recipient(s). (Award: $1,000)
The UCSC Annual Dante Prize – The award is available to a UCSC undergrad, student does not have to be a Cowell affiliate. Essay topic must be on Dante and his writing(s). Essays will be judged based on the following criteria: quality of critical interpretation, strong argument, clarity, and style in the use of the English language. If the student would like to submit an essay written for a class, the essay must be edited and improved (based on instructor feedback) to be considered prize-worthy. The submission is anonymous; students must choose a pseudonym and attach a sealed envelope containing the student's real name. (Award: $300)
Cowell Press Prize – Award given for excellence in printing or book arts productions. Entry must be a single print project produced in the Cowell Press. Recipient need not be a Cowell student. (Award: $200)
William & Roslyn Targ Cowell Press Award – Award given for excellence in printing or book arts productions. Entry must be a single print project produced in the Cowell Press. Recipient need not be a Cowell student. (Award: $200)
John Dizikes Writing Prize – Awarded to a Cowell student for excellent non-fiction prose writing in any field. Entries must consist of a single essay in English written for a UCSC course. Entries are judged on essay form, prose style and lucidity, word choice, and technical perfection in the use of the English language. (Award: $1,000)
John Holmes Award (History) – Awarded to a student for excellent written work in United States history. Entries must consist of a single essay in English written for a UCSC course. Entries are judged on essay form, prose style and lucidity, word choice, and technical perfection in the use of the English language. (Award: $600)
Karl Lamb Short Story Prize – Awarded to a Cowell student for excellent short story writing in any genre. Entries must be original work, and consist of a single short story in English. Entries are judged on prose style and lucidity, word choice, and authenticity of voice. (Award: $400)
Cowell Poetry Prize – Award for excellence in poetry written by a Cowell student. Students may submit up to 3 poems, no longer than 6 pages total. (Award: $500)
Cowell Illustration Prize – Award for excellence in illustration or a photograph of a scene from/of Cowell. One submission only. (Award: $100)
Cowell Scholarships
Mark Glenn Cary Scholarship – Honors a Cowell resident with a declared major in Physical and Biological Sciences. Selection is based on both academic merit and financial need. The final decision is made by the Provost. Self-nomination is not permitted. (Award: $1,000)
David Wayne Christenson Scholarship – Honors Kresge and Cowell College students with demonstrated public service to the university, high academic merit, and financial need. Students are selected from Cowell and Kresge College each year. Self-nomination permitted. (Award: $1,500)
Contact
**Award will first be applied to any student loan debt before dispersing to the student's account.**
For more information regarding Cowell College Prizes, please email the Cowell College Academic Manager or (831) 459-2251.
