The English department hosted an award ceremony on Friday, May 1st to honor our award winners. Here are photos from the event!
2026 English Honor Society
Sophia Adams, Maria Andrinopoulos, Margaux Barrett, Maria Therese Barry, Bianca Brucker, Lydia Chandler, Isabel Choi, Mary Kate Farrell, Charlotte Finch, Mackenzee Fritz, Kaitlin Gibson, Abigail Glynn, Madeleine Guiliano, Jenine Hazlewood, Kathleen Lewis, Zachary Murray, Wyatt Oatman, Juan Pablo Tampe, Michael Turner, Ailish Wilson
Core English Literature and Writing Seminar Award
Shaina Keough, "Letters Lost, To the Wind," Written for Dr. Jean Lutes, ENG 1975, Spring 2025
Claire Rafferty, "The Boomerang Effect: Environmental Risk and the Flaws of Social Stratification," Written for Dr. Kate Neilsen, ENG 1975, Fall 2025
Jerome J. Fischer Memorial Award Best Undergraduate Essay
William Jeffery, “Why Sly?: Introducing the Audience to Themselves,” Written for Dr. Lauren Shohet, ENG 3250, Fall 2025
Rachel Taylor, “In the Company of Ghosts: Haunting as Restoration,” Written for Dr. Kimberly Takahata, ENG 5000, Fall 2025
Margaret Powell Esmonde Memorial Award Best Graduate Essay
Jenna Kosnick, “‘Madmans to Play With’: Asylum Erotica in Dracula,” Written for Dr. Joseph Drury, ENG 8560, Spring 2025
George D. Murphy Award in Poetry
Runner-up
Margaux Barrett “Water” | “The Arrangements” | “Grocery List” | “Wait” | “The Outside”
George D. Murphy Award in Poetry
Winner
Majo James “Cashier” | “Pallbearer” | “Clever Pig” | “Parasite” | “Lums Pond”
Addie Fiscus Award in Prose
Runner-up
Zoë Magee “The Rock”
Addie Fiscus Award in Prose
Winner
Jenine Hazlewood “The Art of Concealment”
Villanova English Senior Achievement Award
Margaux Barrett
2026 Edward McGrath Medallion for Excellence in English
Kaitlin Gibson
You can learn more about our awards and read excerpts from the creative writing winners on our
website!
