The university has a rich heritage of literary prizes, many of which date back to bequests received in the early 20th century. Some are awarded for academic achievement in particular units or programs of study. Others require submission of written work on a specific topic. Literary prizes are usually open to all students, although students must submit their entries using a pseudonym and may not win more than one prize per semester.
The Sidney Hillman Prize for Journalism is given each month to a journalist for work that has “explicitly and courageously addressed the moral dimensions of public affairs.” Since its inception in 1950, the prize has recognized reporters from daily, periodical and labor press, as well as authors and broadcasters.
Journalists who have won the Sydney Hillman Prize have explored topics including human trafficking, abortion, war crimes, poverty and social injustices. In recent years, the prize has been used to honor investigative reporting and deep storytelling in service to a free media and the common good.
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Each year the Sydney Prize Committee selects a book that is an excellent choice for library and classroom use. The committee’s recommendations are posted on the AJL Sydney Taylor Book Award website and are available in hard copy for purchase. The Sydney Taylor Seals are also available for libraries and individuals to use to mark copies of the winning titles.
In the tradition of the solitary scholar, Sidney Iwanter ’71 (History) sought to preserve and document the knowledge of those who came before him. His enduring curiosity and will to share it led him to secretly record his history professor’s lectures at UW-Madison. The resulting archive of bootlegs is now part of the Harvey Goldberg Center for Freedom of Speech and Expression at the university.
The prestigious award is named in memory of the distinguished historian who championed a broad interpretation of American and world history and the importance of the field to the intellectual development of all students. The prize is designed to promote scholarship in the subject area, foster a more diverse and inclusive understanding of American history and society, and encourage teaching and learning.
Established in 2000, the Sydney E. Mead Prize is granted annually to an advanced graduate student or a recently minted PhD for an unpublished article stemming from dissertation research in church history. The work should make a significant contribution to the field and enhance general awareness of the subject among readers of Church History.
This prize is funded by the Sydney and Emily Taylor Fund and is administered by AJL. The winning entry is published in AJL, and the winner receives $5,000 and a certificate. Runners-up are honored with a citation in the magazine and will have their stories published online. The competition is open to all writers, but Overland subscribers get discounted entry and a subscription to the magazine (which includes four print issues and access to our daily online magazine) for an extra $22. This year’s judges, Laura Elvery, Paige Clark and Michael Winkler, have chosen the winning story for Summer 2023.