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The Canisius English Department announces two new annual writing prizes: The Thomas Connelly Prize for Excellence in Literary Analysis, which will be awarded to the best literary analysis essays submitted each academic year; and The Thomas Connelly Prize for Excellence in First-Year Writing, to be awarded to the best essays submitted each year in first-year writing courses.

Winners will receive the following cash awards:

The Thomas Connelly Prize for Excellence in Literary Analysis

1st Prize: $1,500

2nd Prize: $1,000

Honorable Mention: $500

The Thomas Connelly Prize for Excellence in First-Year Writing

1st Prize: $1,000

2nd Prize: $500

Honorable Mention: $250

Instructors of 200- and 300-level English courses may nominate essays from among those submitted in their courses for the Prize for Excellence in Literary Analysis. An instructor may nominate up to two essays each semester. In addition, English Department majors and minors may nominate their own essays that they write outside the auspices of an English course, including essays written specifically to be considered for the Connelly Prize.

Instructors of first-year writing courses taught by the English Department (ENG 100, ENG 111, ENG 112, and HON 101) may nominate essays from among those submitted in their courses for the Prize for Excellence in First Year Writing. An instructor may nominate up to two essays each semester.

Thomas Connelly earned his BA from Canisius in 1971 and an MA in 1974. His best memories of Canisius are of the English honors program, courses taught by Dr. Frank Riga—and playing speed chess and pinochle for lunch money. During his long and distinguished legal career, he received a number of awards for his pro bono work—legal services provided to those who could not afford them. He retired in 2003 and moved to Virginia with his wife of 52 years, Rosemary, a retired elementary teacher. He remains an avid reader of poetry (Hopkins, Dickinson, and Dylan Thomas), Canadian literature, especially short stories; as well as mysteries and science fiction.

The deadline for nominations is April 15, 2025. Judging will be done by a committee of English faculty members appointed by the department chair. For more information, contact Dr. Mark Hodin: hodinm@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Mick Cochrane, professor, English