Fiction Award Honors VandeZande

An annual undergraduate fiction award has been established to honor the memory of longtime English professor John VandeZande, who passed away in May 2006. The first competition for the John M. VandeZande Fiction Award will take place this academic year. The submission deadline is Feb. 15 and the winner of the $200 cash prize will be announced in April.

 

VandeZande served on the English faculty for more than 30 years. His writings appeared in a host of publications and his story collection, Night Driving, was published by W.M. Morrow. VandeZande's work also earned him the Lawrence and Chautauqua prizes for fiction. He retired from the English faculty in 1996.

"He was a revered teacher and a much admired writer of fiction," said James Schiffer (English). "He grew up in Big Bay and had many friends in our community. He was a very kind man, a great storyteller, a yarn spinner, with a great sense of humor. A student award in his honor celebrating creativity is most fitting."

 

The VandeZande family and the English department established the prize. For more information on the award and submission guidelines, visit Fiction Award.

 

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Updated: October 17, 2007

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