DSU’s Nelson receives poetry scholarship prize

John Nelson, instructor of English at DSU, and a student in the English Ph.D. program at the University of South Dakota, recently won the Gladys Hasse $1,000 scholarship prize at USD for poetry he wrote in a creative writing class.

“This scholarship comes as a real boost. Not only will it provide some financial assistance, it also provides some incentive, showing that others find my work worthwhile,” Nelson said. “Poetry continues to be a unique and vibrant means of exploring the human condition, and I enjoy writing and teaching others about the power of the poem.”

Nelson took a graduate seminar in writing poetry last semester with USD faculty member Lee Ann Roripaugh.

“I credit her with the guidance and support in my writing,” Nelson said. “Other USD faculty have also been supportive of my work, as have my colleagues here at DSU. The scholarship will help a great deal to support my efforts in attending school while also teaching here in Madison.”

The Gladys Hasse scholarship is awarded to a student at USD for original poetry. There is no submission process involved when selecting the scholarship winner. USD faculty selects among poetry they’ve seen in class. Nelson says he was completely surprised about the selection.

Nelson is seeking a Ph.D. degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing. He has a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Wyoming, where he also focused on creative writing. He continues to write poetry and prose, seeking placement in regional and national publications.

Earlier this year, two of Nelson’s poems were selected to help represent USD’s submission to the Associated Writing Program’s annual competition for schools offering creative writing degrees.