Iris N. Spencer Poetry Awards

The Iris N. Spencer Undergraduate Poetry Award recognizes poetic achievement among undergraduates enrolled in colleges/universities in the United States. Named for Iris N. Spencer, a reader and community servant, the award recognizes a winner ($1500), and a runner-up ($500). The first place winner will also receive a full scholarship to the WCU Poetry Conference held June 5-8, 2013.

The Spencer Award welcomes unpublished, original poems composed in the traditional modes of meter, rhyme and received forms for consideration in the competition. We ask that applicants adhere to the following guidelines.

The annual competition is open to all undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a college/university in the United States.
The submission should consist of a cover letter and up to three poems. Please put only the title of the poem at the top of the manuscript.
The author's name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number should be placed on a separate sheet.
There is a $10 entry fee for submission of up to three poems. Those three may be any combination of poems submitted to the Iris N. Spencer award, the Myong Cha Son Haiku Award, or the Rhina P. Espaillat Poetry Prize. Make payment to: WCU Foundation. Multiple entries are accepted.
All submissions must be postmarked no later than April 25, 2013.
Submitted poems will not be returned. For notification of contest results please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Manuscripts should be sent to:

Iris N. Spencer Undergraduate Poetry Award
Poetry House
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383

Previous Winners