The Walden Prize for Graduate and Undergraduate Papers is awarded annually to outstanding emerging scholars in popular culture studies. Walden Prize awardees receive recognition and complimentary registration for the upcoming conference and will have their papers published in MAPACA’s journal, Response. The Walden Prize is named in honor of Daniel Walden, Professor Emeritus of American Studies, English, and Comparative Literature at Penn State University.
The Loretta Lorance Volunteer Recognition Award is granted to a conference participant who has contributed to the growth and success of the Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association through service and leadership. The board of directors announces the winner of the Lorance Award prior to the annual conference and presents the award at conference dinner and reception.
The Ralph Donald Award recognizes an outstanding paper and presentation delivered at MAPACA’s annual conference. This award is named in honor of Ralph Donald. Award recipients receive recognition and complimentary registration to the following year’s conference.
Anyone presenting a paper or presentation at the current year’s conference is eligible for award nomination. Nominations must progress through an Area Chair and be submitted, by an Area Chair, to the Vice President of Awards at awards@mapaca.net.
The Divine Impact Award (DIA) recognizes outstanding creative or scholarly achievement in the production, performance, or scholarly consideration of popular and/or American culture that exhibits exceptional contribution, longevity, originality, and impact. The DIA is named in honor of Harris Glenn Milstead, the actor, singer, and drag queen also known as Divine, a performer made well known through John Waters’s body of work.
