Faculty members nominate their best sophomores and juniors majoring in English.
Nominees write application essays, explaining their interests and long-term plans. A faculty committee selects the two strongest candidates. Recipients must remain English Majors, must join the English Honors Program, must maintain a minimum GPA in the Major, and must write letters to the donor's family. Other prizes consist of a presentation book with attached bookplate and are funded from the Martin J. Svaglic Endowment . Potential recipients are nominated by faculty members and selected by a faculty committee.