The Columbia State Foundation recently established the annual Beverly Mitchell Prize for Creative Writing named by colleagues in honor of a beloved English professor.

Beverly Mitchell served as a member of the English faculty at Columbia State from 1990 to 2020. During her tenure, Mitchell taught a wide range of courses from Learning Support Writing to second-year literature surveys, in addition to arts and culture classes.

While working with students was the centerpiece of her career, Mitchell’s true passion is creative writing, and she served as the editor of “Perceptions: A Journal of the Arts” during her time at Columbia State. She often volunteers to teach creative writing workshops at local primary and secondary schools and to serve on the boards of many arts organizations in Maury County.

In her honor, her colleagues have established the Beverly Mitchell Prize for Creative Writing to be awarded annually to the student who submits the best work of creative writing to “Perceptions.” The winner of the award will receive a prize of $100 as well as be recognized at Columbia State’s annual Student Honors Convocation.

“Colleagues and friends of Beverly Mitchell conceived a creative way to recognize her passion for literary arts and to recognize student talent,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for Advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “‘Perceptions’ is one of many ways students can be involved in things that reflect their interests.”

For more information about "Perceptions" or the Beverly Mitchell Creative Writing Prize, email Perceptions@ColumbiaState.edu.