John Perkins Center Prize

The John Perkins Center Prize honors Dr. John M. Perkins and the indelible mark he has made to the work of reconciliation and Christian Community Development.  With the generous support of friends of the Center, the John Perkins Center is hosting this writing competition to encourage current and future Seattle Pacific University students to explore practical ways towards reconciliation in our communities.

Perkins Center Prize 2024

This year, we will have up to two prizes to award in scholarship for students who will attend SPU in 2024-25 academic year. Each eligible finalists, if selected, will receive a tuition scholarship to Seattle Pacific University for 2024-25.

PRIZE DESCRIPTIONS:

 Two finalist may be chosen from among the entries received. The eligible finalist will receive a tuition scholarship to Seattle Pacific University for the 2024-25 academic year divided over 3 quarters (fall, winter, spring).

 Perkins Center First Prize:                             $2,000 SPU Scholarship

 Perkins Center Second Prize:                        $1,000 SPU Scholarship

ELIGIBILITY

  •  For Eligibility details see the Details & Entry Forms at the bottom.

  • Entries must be original works by the entrants and must not infringe copyright or proprietary rights of any other person.

  • One entry per person.

  • Entries must include completed Writing Prize entry form (including parental/guardian signature for minors).

  • Entrants must give the John Perkins Center and SPU consent to publish and use the submission.

  • Entrants must be persons who will be enrolled full time at SPU in the 2024-25 academic year.

  • Winners will be presented in April 2024 during the Annual Perkins Lecture Series.

WRITING PROMPTS

The writing prompts are included on the Details & Entry Forms and are intended to help entrants focus their writing on Dr. Perkins' principles of Relocation, Reconciliation, and Redistribution.

 

ENTRY CRITERIA

Writing type

Written entries may take essay form, research paper form, or story form. 

  • Writing length should not exceed 2,000 words.
  • Entries must be written by the entrant and be original work.
  • Quotations and facts that are not common knowledge should include proper citations.

Judging Criteria

  • Entries must focus on a social justice topic or issue by clearly communicating an answer to one of the included prompts.
  • Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and/or the potential for the findings or program to be utilized and implemented.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

  • Entries must be emailed or postmarked by April 3, 2024.
  • Please include/attach the entry forms and a high-resolution picture of yourself (for presentation purposes).
  • Email electronic submissions (as a PDF or Word document) to perkinscenter@spu.edu.
  • Hard copy entries can be dropped off in a manila envelope to the John Perkins Center (SUB 225) or mailed to:


The John Perkins Center - SPU

Attn: Writing Prize

3307 Third Ave W Suite 207

Seattle, WA 98119


Please contact perkinscenter@spu.edu with any questions or (206) 281-2183 with any questions.

Details and forms are here.