Medieval Studies recognizes excellence in undergraduate and graduate writing with two prizes, the Carol Kaske Prize and the Tom Hill Graduate Essay Award, both established in 2024.
Carol Kaske Prize
The Carol Kaske Prize, established in memory of Carol V. Kaske (1933–2016), Cornell Professor of English (1963–2003), is awarded to an undergraduate student in any major who is judged to have written the best essay (15–30 pages) on a Medieval or Renaissance topic. Submissions must have been completed during the current or previous academic year and may be written in any language. A completed chapter from a senior thesis is eligible. The recipient is honored at the annual spring Quodlibet Lecture and recognized at the Medieval Studies Commencement ceremony. Students submit their own essay at the submission form below. Submissions are due January 31.
Tom Hill Graduate Essay Award
The Tom Hill Graduate Essay Award, established in 2024 in honor of Professor Emeritus Tom Hill, who taught in the Medieval Studies Program and the Department of Literatures in English from 1967 until 2022, is awarded to a graduate student in any field who is judged to have written the best essay (any length) in any area of Medieval Studies. Submitted essays should be a stand-alone piece of writing completed or published during the current or previous academic year (a thesis completed for a degree awarded prior to enrollment at Cornell is ineligible). The recipient is honored at the annual MSGA Lecture and recognized at the Medieval Studies Commencement ceremony. Students submit their own essay at the submission form below. Submissions are due January 31.
Application Instructions
Applicant must be a currently registered Cornell student
Submissions will be accepted in PDF format only
Submissions must adhere to the specifications described for each prize
Applicant’s name should not appear anywhere on the manuscript (committee review is anonymous)