College students from around the state are invited to participate in a juried essay competition designed to further the study of Florida History.
After 52 years as a journalist and historian, Leland Hawes retired in 2004 from The Tampa Tribune. For more than 20 years, he wrote and edited the Sunday History and Heritage page which chronicled the state and region’s eventful past. Hawes is legendary to many for his encyclopedic knowledge of our history and is an assiduous mentor to many. The History Center and USF Libraries’ Florida Studies Center established the Hawes Prize in honor of our friend, trustee, and donor, Mr. Hawes.
Eligibility—We invite submissions from graduate students in any humanities discipline, and undergraduates in any humanities discipline or journalism.
Topics & Format—Submissions must focus on Florida, and can range from the state's pre-colonial history through the 20th century. Topics dealing with the Tampa Bay region are encouraged. Submissions must be in CD or DVD formats. Citations and production credits must be included for print and electronic media respectively.
Judging Criteria—A panel of scholars evaluates submissions on originality, quality of research, clarity of argument, and contributions to the field of Florida history.
Prize—The winning graduate student receives a cash prize of $1,000 and the paper is published in the annual Tampa Bay History journal, produced by TBHC and USF Libraries’ Florida Studies Center. The winning undergraduate student receives a cash prize of $500.
To Enter—Send your submission with cover letter by June 1, 2010 to: Hawes Prize in Florida History, Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St. Tampa, FL 33602. For more information, contact Rodney Kite-Powell at 813.675.8984 or rkp@tampabayhistorycenter.org.
2009 Hawes Prize Awardees
Graduate Paper:
The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of a Modern Florida Landmark: A History of Tampa's Floridan Hotel by Brad Massey, USF St. Petersburg
Undergraduate Paper:
How to Make an "American": The Americanization of Ybor City's Latin Community by Sarah McNamara, University of Florida