Annually the Southern Polytechnic State University Composition Program awards excellence in student writing through the SPSU Recoulley Composition Award.  Awards go to two English 1101 or English 1102 students who submit outstanding writing.  Each winner receives a $50 cash prize and a certificate at the spring semester Student Awards Ceremony. An Honorable Mention Award/Certificate is also awarded.
 

Dr. Alfred "Rex" Recoulley: Benefactor

Dr. Alfred "Rex" Recoulley was a professor at SPSU from 1981 to 1988 when he died after an extended illness.  Dr. Recoulley received his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, an M.A. from Duke University, and a B.A. from Louisiana State University. Dr. Recoulley was an integral contributor to our composition program.  His breadth of knowledge of both composition and literature, along with his classroom teaching style, endeared him to both SPSU students and faculty.  Dr. Recoulley served as a mentor to many faculty members.  He bequeathed funds to the Humanities Department to establish this writing award.  Thank you "Rex" from all of us.
 

Contest Guidelines and Requirements

In February of each year, student writings will be collected from the spring, summer and fall ENGL 1101 and 1102 classes that were held in the previous year. Students will submit their writing according to the guidelines established below.  The work must be "signed" off by an instructor.  The student also will sign a permission slip that allows the writing to be used for educational purposes by the SPSU Composition Program.

While the due date for submission is the last week of February, it's suggested that students submit their writing to their instructors at the end of the semester in which it was produced. Doing so makes it easier for the student and the instructor to ensure the writing gets entered in the contest. The instructor then submits the package to the composition award coordinators. Currently Dr. Terry Carter and Dr. Nancy Reichert are coordinating the contest. Their contact information is as follows:

• All drafts. Rough drafts should be turned in with the final draft when possible.
• Three final copies of the work, word processed and double-spaced; no name or teacher comments on the work.
• optional -  a process sheet — a brief narrative that explains the assignment; when did he/she begin?  How did he/she decide on what to write?  What were his/her processes as he/she wrote?  These are some of the questions a student might answer.
• Optional--an electronic copy of the paper. Ideally we will publish the works of the winners on the Internet.
• A permission form. You can download a copy of the permission form by clicking on the link.