English

English Endowment Lora A. Printz Poetry Prize

About The Prize

The Lora A. Printz Memorial Poetry Prize is an annual contest which recognizes student achievement in poetry writing on the Tennessee Tech University campus. The contest was initiated in 1970 by Mrs. Dorothy Pennebaker, a former Tennessee Tech professor, in memory of her mother, the late Mrs. Lora A. Printz (1891-1970), who sought to instill her lifelong love of poetry in her children and grandchildren. The Lora A. Printz Memorial Prize was permanently established by a generous gift made by Dr. Martha Osborne, the daughter of Mrs. Pennebaker and granddaughter of Mrs. Printz, to continue her grandmother's legacy of fostering interest in poetry among young people. Dr. Osborne is professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Award

A prize of four hundred dollars ($400) will be awarded to the best poem, with a one hundred dollars ($100) honorable mention prize, and the winning poems will be designated for publication in The Iris Review, Tennessee Tech University's student literary magazine.

Please note, student prize winnings and scholarship awards are paid directly into students' accounts. If the accounts are up to date and in good standing, these funds are then paid directly to the student.

Contest Rules

1. The contest is open to all all part-time or full-time undergraduate Tennessee Tech students enrolled during the current academic year.
2. Students may submit three original poems of any length. All subjects, all styles, and all forms are welcome. This includes traditional metrical verse as well as free verse.
3. Poems which have won previous substantial monetary awards are not eligible for this contest.
4. Each poem must be typed, single-spaced, on one side only of 8½- by 11-inch sheets of white paper. Poems may be of any length. Do not put more than one poem on a page. Each poem must have a title. 
5. Submissions will be accepted electronically or in hard copy. Regardless of submission format, include a cover page with the poem titles / applicant’s full name / current mailing address / telephone number / email address / academic major / year in school / T number.
6. If you submit in hard copy, make copies of your poems. Entries cannot be returned.
7. All poems will be considered for publication in future issues of the Iris Review. If you do not wish to have your work published in the Iris Review, please do not submit it to the contest!

Deadline For Submissions 

Entries must be received by email or in the English Department, Henderson Hall 320, no later than Friday, March 22, 2024 by 4:00 p.m. If you drop off your submission at Henderson Hall 320, be sure to mark it c/o Dr.  Erin Hoover.

For More Information

Contact Dr. Erin Hoover at 931-372-3347.