PROGRAMS

The Tampa Bay History Center sponsors lecture series, competitions and other community-related activities and functions in its continuing effort to preserve, promote and protect the rich history of the Tampa Bay area.

LELAND HAWES ESSAY PRIZE

In 2005, the Tampa Bay History Center / University of South Florida, Florida Studies Center Partnership established a special essay award in honor of our friend, board of trustees member and donor, Leland Hawes. In 2004, Mr. Hawes retired from the Tampa Tribune after 52 years as a journalist and historian. For more than 20 years, Hawes wrote and edited the Sunday History and Heritage page which chronicled the state and region’s eventful past.

Leland Hawes is legendary to many for his encyclopedic knowledge of our history and is an assiduous mentor to many. It was appropriate to honor him with the Leland Hawes Essay Prize in Florida History and the Leland Hawes Prize in Florida Media Features. The Leland Hawes Prize in Florida History invites submissions from graduate students working toward a M.A. or Ph.D. degree in any humanities discipline. Papers are submitted on any historical topic ranging from Florida’s pre-colonial era through the present time.

The awards will be presented to University of South Florida M.L.A., Florida Studies candidate, Thomas Foley, for his paper entitled: The Taming of the Hillsborough River: How Tampa Gained a Moat, Destroyed a Creek, and Forgot a River and Naomi R. Williams, who is seeking her bachelor of arts degree in history from the University of South Florida for her paper titled: The Struggle for Gay Rights in Tampa and Hillsborough County, 1989 – 1995.

The winning graduate paper receives a cash prize of $1,000 and is published in the Tampa Bay History Center/University of South Florida, Florida Studies Center Partnership journal – Tampa Bay History. The undergraduate paper receives a cash prize of $500. Subjects in any media must cover Florida Studies ranging from Florida's pre-colonial past through the 20th century. Submissions may be in print, VHS, CD, or DVD formats. Citations and production credits must be included for print and electronic media respectively.

A panel of scholars evaluate submissions on originality and quality of research, clarity of argument, and contributions to the field of Florida history. Topics dealing with the Tampa Bay region are particularly encouraged. Students interested in submitting papers for the 2008 prize can e-mail Elizabeth L. Dunham at dunham@tampabayhistorycenter.org for more information. Send submission and cover letter by June 2, 2008 to: C. J. Roberts, President/CEO, Tampa Bay History Center, 225 S. Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602.

Leland Hawes Essay Prize