Savannah State University’s Estuary Wins Prestigious Award

News Summary

Savannah State University’s Estuary magazine has won first place in the AWP Prize for undergraduate literary magazines, outperforming prestigious competitors like Rice and Yale. Nyree Wright, president of the Estuary Creative Writing Club, highlighted the magazine’s unexpected success amidst ongoing program cuts at SSU. Guided by faculty and led by a collaborative student team, the magazine showcases a variety of literary works, celebrating both creative talent and resilience in a challenging educational environment.

Savannah, GA – Savannah State University’s (SSU) Estuary magazine has won first place in the prestigious 2025 Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Prize for undergraduate literary magazines. This achievement is notably significant as Estuary triumphed over strong competitors including Rice University and Yale University, which placed second and third, respectively. The recognition underscores the creativity and dedication of SSU’s students amidst ongoing challenges faced by their institution.

Nyree Wright, a rising senior in Marine Science and the president of the Estuary Creative Writing Club, expressed astonishment at the magazine’s success, referencing the entry as a “longshot.” This sentiment reflects the ambitious spirit of a smaller historically black college and university (HBCU) located in Georgia. SSU’s new president, Jermaine Whirl, shared his pride in the students’ creativity, emphasizing their ability to produce remarkable work even in turbulent times.

The recent accolade for Estuary comes during a period where SSU has seen significant program cuts, including the deactivation of programs like Africana Studies, History, and English in 2022. Additionally, potential cuts loom over the Visual and Performing Arts department in 2024, resulting in student protests advocating for the preservation of these essential programs. Despite these hurdles, the most recent volume of Estuary—the sixteenth—was published prior to the submission for the AWP prize and serves as a testament to the resilience of its contributors.

Estuary is a collaborative project compiled and produced entirely by SSU students, guided by faculty co-adviser Chad Faries, an associate professor at the university. The magazine is notable for its robust engagement with the entire student body, encouraging submissions from individuals beyond the creative writing majors to include diverse perspectives and stories. The editorial team’s leadership comprised Wright, Sierra Edmonds, and Sierra Sails, while the layout was skillfully crafted by Chloe Gallivan and Belkys Del Valle Allred.

In a commendation of Estuary’s excellence, judge Ona Anosike praised the magazine’s bold design and emotional depth, underscoring its role not just as a publication but as a vital platform for connection and expression within the literary arts community. Anosike’s feedback highlights the importance of student engagement and the collective effort that went into producing the magazine during a time when creative writing courses at SSU had also been discontinued.

Volume 16 of Estuary features a variety of sections that celebrate the accomplishments of students and faculty, including Spotlights, and In Memorium pieces dedicated to former professors. Furthermore, the magazine has broadened its scope by incorporating nonfiction works sourced from SSU’s student newspaper, “The Tiger’s Roar,” allowing for a greater representation of student voices within its pages.

Victoria Harris, an Overall Poetry Winner for volume 16, is a notable contributor who originally joined the editorial team before submitting her own poetry. Faries has articulated the significance of student contributions in shaping Estuary, recognizing their efforts not only in magazine production but also in managing writing contests and engaging the wider SSU community.

An editorial note within the journal highlights the dynamic diversity of estuarine environments, drawing parallels between these ecosystems and the challenges faced by Estuary itself. Both depict resilience and passion thriving amid adversity. Moving forward, Anosike has expressed intentions to maintain connections with the SSU community for future collaborative projects, hopeful for the continued evolution of Estuary and its inspiring role within the wider literary landscape.

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