Contests & Awards
The New Xanadu is proud to celebrate those who have earned special recognition for their creative endeavors.
Contests
Marianne Clarke Writing Excellence Awards
Marianne Clarke, a 1938 Doane graduate, enjoyed a distinguished career in journalism as a writer and editor. In memory of this legacy, the Clarke family established the Marianne Clarke Writing Excellence Awards Fund in 1987 as a tribute to excellence in writing at Doane. This fund makes possible several annual contests overseen by the English Department and judged by interdisciplinary panels of faculty.
Marianne Clarke Writing Excellence At-Large Award
The Marianne Clarke Writing Excellence Award Fund includes a category for recognizing achievement in writing among all full-time students on the Crete Campus. The contest invites student writers from any discipline or major to submit a piece of their best prose, such as nonfiction essays, short stories, and research reports. The purpose of the award is to reward “deserving students who have shown extraordinary ability in written essay or research work with respect to form, content, syntax, and style.” Two awards are presented annually, each totaling $1,000.
Marianne Clarke Writing Excellent First-Year Award
The Marianne Clarke Writing Excellence Award Fund includes a category for recognizing achievement in writing among first-year students. The contest invites students to write an extemporaneous essay in response to a prompt provided shortly before the start of a timed session. The annual awards total $1,000.
Xanadu Prizes
The Marianne Clarke Writing Excellence Award Fund includes a category for recognizing special achievement among those who have made contributions to the annual Xanadu publication. This award carries “an expectation of excellence and continued interest” in Xanadu in particular and creative endeavors in general. Recipients are chosen by The New Xanadu director and staff. Two awards are presented annually, each totaling $1,000.
2021
“The Confessor and the Pendle Witch Child: A Historical Re-Telling” by Jean Chevalier
“Your Name: Shinto and Japanese Identity in Changing Times” by Ryleigh Gebers
2022
COMING SOON...
Marianne Clarke Writing Excellent First-Year Award
First Place -Kylie Hughes
​
Runners Up -Makenna Beyer, Jason McIntosh, & Chelsey Ordaz.
Xanadu Prizes
"White Lines"
by Logan Hayek
​
"Closed Curtains"
by Emma Ryan
Awards
Marianne Clarke Writing Excellence At-Large Award
2021
“The Confessor and the Pendle Witch Child: A Historical Re-Telling” by Jean Chevalier
​
“Your Name: Shinto and Japanese Identity in Changing Times” by Ryleigh Gebers
2022
COMING SOON...
Marianne Clarke Writing Excellent First-Year Award
First Place -Kylie Hughes
​
Runners Up -Makenna Beyer, Jason McIntosh, & Chelsey Ordaz.
2021
2022
COMING SOON...
Xanadu Prizes
"White Lines" by Logan Hayek
​
"Closed Curtains" by Emma Ryan
2021
2022
COMING SOON...