The Monmouth College English Department offers a number of prizes to reward exceptional students during the academic year. 

• The Lloyd C. and Dorothy Arthur Prize in Expository Writing was established in 1996 to honor the memory of Lloyd C. Arthur 1918-1996, a member of the Monmouth College Class of 1939 and a former Monmouth postmaster who was active in the Presbyterian Church and several community organizations. It is presented annually to a Monmouth College student for excellence in expository or argumentative prose in class work.

Past Award Recipients: Meryem Zaman '05, Lindsey Markel '04, Betsy Mahrt '03 and '02

• The Eva Cleland Book Award was first presented in 1978 to honor Professor Eva Hanna Cleland 1895-1991, a native of Canada who taught English at Monmouth College from 1923 until her retirement in 1966, and who is credited with modernizing the department by introducing the study of creative writing along with modern poetry and prose. The award is presented annually to an English major for outstanding work in English literature.

Past Award Recipients: Kelly Winfrey '06, Karen Krautwurst '05, Betsy Mahrt '04, Nichole Olson '03, Nichole Olson '02

• The Rosanna Webster Graham Prize in Creative Writing was established in 1987 to honor the memory of Rosanna Webster Graham 1906-1985, a 1928 Monmouth College graduate with a lifelong interest in the creative arts. A founding member of the college’s Crimson Masque dramatic society, she later became an accomplished artist and short story writer. The prize is awarded each year for the best example of student creative writing, in the form of a one-act play, short story or poetry.

Past Award Recipients: Marisa Kratochvil and Michael Seufert '06, David Martinez '05, Laura Haumiller and Ryan Sumner '04, Betsy Mahrt and Beth Blafka '02

• The Adele Kennedy Book Award was first awarded in 1979 to honor Professor Adele Kennedy 1907-1987, who retired from the English Department in 1977 after 31 years of service. Known affectionately as “Mom” to her students, she touched hundreds of lives with her creative teaching style, bringing the written word to life. The award is presented annually to an English major for outstanding work in American literature.

Past Award Recipients: Amanda Benham '06, Talitha Nelson '05, Karen Krautwurst '04, Autumn McGee '03 and '02

• The William B. McKinley Prizes in English were endowed in 1925 by Senator William Brown McKinley of Illinois 1856-1926. A trustee of the University of Illinois and a philanthropist, he awarded the prizes to encourage individual study and research in advanced work in English.

Past Award Recipients: Todd Franks and Shannon Hess '06, Lindsay Markel and Jarred Mauck '05, Ryan Schrodt and Shannon Kloser '04, Rebekah Danaher and Shannon Kloser '03, Rebekah Danaher and Shannon Kloser '02

• The Philip J. Wheeler Memorial Prize in Literature was established in 1997 in memory of Philip J. Wheeler 1926-1997. A 1950 Monmouth College graduate with a degree in business administration, he was a former Monmouth bookstore owner, a supporter of the Warren County Library and an avid reader. It is awarded annually to an English major with a strong interest in literature.

Past Award Recipients: Karen Krautwurst '06, Kat Neilson '05, Kat Neilson and Rebekah Danaher '04

• In addition, the Associated Colleges of the Midwest offers a yearly, nationally-recognized Nick Adams Short Story Contest. Monmouth College has had several finalists over the last decade, including Lisa M. Bennett who won the prize in 1997 with "Dead Languages."