Terms: "The Barbara Rooke Travel Prize" will be awarded annually to a graduating English major with a high average (over 80%) for travel to a significant literary heritage site or region. The prize funds a student's travel to a site of his or her choice and includes a cash award of up to $2,000. The total value of the prize will not exceed $3,500.
Application Procedures:
1) Each applicant submits a brief statement (not more than 750 words) outlining how s/he would like to use the prize. The statement should indicate a) how s/he came into contact with the relevant author(s), b) the nature and duration of his/her interest in the author and/or site, c) what s/he seeks to gain/learn from the adventure. The prize is not intended as an academic research grant, though it does seek to encourage intellectual and personal development.
2) Each applicant must provide confidential letters of reference from two faculty members. The letters should address:
- the student’s academic performance
- the instructor’s understanding of the student’s relationship to the author/site
- any personal qualities which particularly recommend the student for the prize
- the student’s potential as a spokesperson/representative of the department and the university
- The prize committee will also have access to the student’s full transcript
Responsibilities:
The prize winner will be responsible for two blog posts (form to be determined by student and a nominating faculty member) while on his/her trip. The blog entries will be posted on the departmental website and may also be used in other university promotions. The prize winner will also be invited to deliver a brief presentation about the trip to students and the community in the fall term, preferably in September as part of the department’s welcome back celebrations. Travel expenses will be submitted to the Rooke Fellowship.
Applications to be submitted by email to englishprizes@trentu.ca by May 1st of the current academic year. The winner will be decided and announced once all final grades are received.
Previous Barbara Rooke Travel Prize Winners!
2024 Jacob Taylor
2023 Cathy Ho-Nguyen
2022 Graham Wylie
2021 Not Awarded
2020 Not Awarded
2019 Cheyenne Tattersall (France)
2018 Emma Cullen (UK)
2017 Simon Turner (Italy)
2016 Heidi Dienesch (Scandinavia)
2015 Peter Del Villano (UK)
2014 Joel Vaughan (UK/France)
2013 Elisha Rubacha (Spain)