The Jeanne Kissner Undergraduate Essay in Humanities Award was created in honor of the late Jeanne Kissner, Co-Director of the Center for the Study of Canada at Plattsburgh State University. Professor Kissner was unflagging in her support of Canadian studies education at the undergraduate level and had always hoped that such an award would be established.
The award recognizes a high-quality undergraduate essay that presents a scholarly exploration of any Canadian studies theme.
The competition is open to all undergraduates in the United States who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States and enrolled in a course in Canadian studies during the two years preceding the biennial ACSUS Conference.
The author of the winning essay will receive free registration for the next ACSUS biennial conference, complimentary membership in ACSUS for two years, and a certificate of recognition.
The deadline for the Jeanne Kissner Undergraduate Award in Humanities is September 1, 2025. Send nomination letters to info@acsus.org
Procedures
Instructors are asked to select and submit one essay on any Canadian topic from one student enrolled in each of their Canadian Studies courses. A paper between 5-15 typed pages (double-spaced) in length is preferred.
Please send the nominated essays by email to info@acsus.org no later than September 1, 2025.
Essays will be judged in terms of their originality and effective presentation. The student will be notified promptly of the award and presented with a certificate of citation.
2023
The 2023 winner of the Jeanne Kissner Award was Dietrich Wahl, a recent graduate in history and education from Bridgewater State University, for his essay "A Lost Cause Renewed: Quebec, the Civil War, and Canadian Confederation."
2021
Due to complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Jeanne Kisser Award was not given.
2019
The 2019 winner of the Jeanne Kissner Award was Victor J. Locke, from St. Lawrence University, for their essay “Land of Hope and Dreams: American Draft Dodgers in Canada During the Vietnam War.”
2017
No award given.
2015
No award given.
2013
The 2013 winner of the Jeanne Kissner Award was Olivia George from Georgetown University. Her essay, " La Traduction transformatrice : La Traduction féministe dans Le livre d’Emma et La Memoria" was written in the context of Professor Miléna Santoro's seminar on "Modern French Canadian Literature: Women's Wor(l)ds in the Quebec Novel."