This prize recognizes the best single poem written by a Bradley University student. Administered by the Academy of American Poets in New York at nearly two hundred colleges and universities throughout the United States, the prize has been awarded to some our country's finest poets during their collegiate years. In fact, many well-known poets won their first recognition through the Academy College Prize, including Toi Derricotte, Mark Doty, Alice Fulton, Li-Young Lee, Sylvia Plath, Mark Strand, and Charles Wright. The prizewinner receives a $100 award from the Academy, and finalists receive certificates of award presented by the English Department. This year's competition included roughly 60 student submissions.

2004 Academy of American Poets Co-Winners

Warren Brinegar's "Being Called Ma'am on More than One Occasion"

Staci Perkins' "Identity"

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The Chester Sipple Poetry Award

This award acknowledges student achievement in creating a larger body of poetry. Students submit to this competition portfolios of five original poems. The winning entrant receives a $500 award, the runner-up earns $250, and third place garners $125. In addition, the English Department presents certificates to student poets whose work earns finalist honors. This year's competition included roughly 60 student submissions.

2004 Sipple Poetry Award Winners (A sample of 1 of the 5 poems that each student submitted in the competition has been provided).

Co-Winners

Warren Brinegar's "Nights Like This"

Staci Perkins' "Virginia Woolf on Happiness"

Second Place

Shannon Moore's "A Confession"