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University Writing Program

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Julian Clement Chase Prizes for Writing in the District of Columbia

Rainbow Pride Douglass Bridge Norman E Jones DCDOT
Photo credit: Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, photo by Norman E. Jones, courtesy DCDOT.

The University Writing Program, in collaboration with the Creative Writing program and the Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, is proud to award three annual undergraduate Julian Clement Chase Prizes: one for Research Writing on the District of Columbia, one for Creative Writing in Washington, and one for Community Impact in the District of Columbia. Each carries a $2,000 award and is honored at an annual ceremony each year celebrating the University’s connections to Washington, D.C. Implementing the intentions of the founders, the prizes recognize and honor — appetite, boldness, the building of community, and the striving toward humane excellence in undergraduate work engaged with D.C.

 

 

Hey DC! - History Docuseries Honoring JCC's 10th Anniversary Celebration

Join Professor Phillip Troutman as he takes us through GW & DC history! This series honors the 10th Anniversary of the Julian Clement Chase Prize for Writing in The District of Columbia.

History 

The Chase Prizes honor Sgt. Julian Clement Chase, a Washington, D.C. native who loved this city. Born at the Columbia Hospital for Women, he attended D.C. public schools from kindergarten through high school, graduating in 2008. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Afghanistan, earning the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for Valor. During his second tour of duty, he applied to GW and eagerly anticipated returning to his hometown to enroll as a freshman. On Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, at age 22, he was killed in action in Helmand Province and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, and admission to GW.

Julian loved his hometown—from Rock Creek Park to Ben’s Chili Bowl—and relished exploring it. He loved writing, photography, history, and music. To honor Julian’s spirit of home-grown adventure, his family established the Chase Prizes to recognize GW students who explore D.C. with the intelligence and exuberance that he did. 

Sgt. Julian Clement Chase

Sgt. Julian Clement Chase, courtesy of his family.

Apply for Julian Clement Chase Prizes

Undergraduate students my apply for any of the three prizes: 

  • Research Writing on the District of Columbia – that honors the transformative experience that researching with and about DC communities can bring.

  • Creative Writing in Washington – for outstanding prose that utilizes the city as a backdrop or for thematic purposes in the narrative. 

  • Community Impact in the District of Columbia–for work in partnership with DC communities to make a positive difference in the life of the City.

For full information and application details for each prize, please follow the links below. You can also read the beautiful work of past winners.

Research Writing on the District of Columbia

Apply

Creative Writing in Washington

Apply

Community Impact in the District of Columbia

Apply

 

2026 Prize Winners

 

 2026 Ceremony Details