This award was instituted by the WLA Executive Council in 2005 and was given for the first time at the 2006 WLA Conference in Boise.
Susan Rosowski (1942–2004), long-time WLA member and University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Adele Hall University Professor, epitomized what it means to be a generous and caring mentor and teacher. While her service to the Association and to Cather studies on a national level was exemplary and her scholarship (The Voyage Perilous [1986] and Birthing a Nation [1999]) was singular and remains widely used, Sue is best remembered as a teacher and mentor of unparalleled quality.
THE AWARD WILL NEXT BE GIVEN in 2027.
Deadline for nominations for 2027: TBA
Nominating Procedure:
In order to nominate someone for the Rosowski Award, please collaborate with WLA colleagues and solicit at least five separate letters of support, from students, WLA members, or anyone else who seems appropriate. Letters should address the nominee’s long-standing support of WLA members, as well as graduate students. They might address service in WLA that benefits graduate students; evidence of mentoring younger colleagues; information about support letters written; number of students who have become involved in WLA’s curriculum development; pedagogical publications, etc. Please submit materials in one packet to the WLA Awards Coordinators, who will keep track of the files.
Once nominated, the candidate remains in the pool of nominees for two award cycles. However, members who were nominated prior to the previous award cycle may be re-nominated. Members who have previously won the award will not be considered for a second nomination.
Nominations or questions about the award may be addressed via email to Jada Ach, Awards Coordinator.
The Susan J. Rosowski Award recipients
- 2025 José Aranda Jr., Rice University
- 2018–2024 No awards given
- 2016 William R. Handley, University of Southern California
- 2014 Evelyn I. Funda, Utah State University
- 2012 Melody Graulich, Utah State University, and Annette Kolodny, University of Arizona-Tucson
- 2010 Cheryll Glotfelty, University of Nevada-Reno
- 2008 Susan Naramore Maher, University of Nebraska-Omaha
- 2006 James H. Maguire, Boise State University