Wallace Stegner Award
From 1990 to 2019, the Center of the American West presented the Wallace Stegner Award to an individual who has made a sustained contribution to the cultural identity of the West through literature, art, history, lore, or an understanding of the West. In the spirit of Wallace Stegner, the recipients demonstrated singular achievement, creativity, and dedication to the perception of the West and Western issues, and have communicated to others the importance and uniqueness of the West as a distinct region. In short, the award was presented to those who have faithfully and evocatively depicted the spirit of the American West.
A public event was held in Boulder, Colorado, to honor the recipient and present the award. The recipient was interviewed about her/his life achievements, particular interests in the West, accomplishments in bringing recognition to the West and Western issues, and their views about the West in general.
The Wallace Stegner Award was a beautifully framed, hand-made certificate. The award’s inscription was personalized to reflect the recipient’s distinguished accomplishments on behalf of the American West. The Wallace Stegner Award also came with a cash award.
Special Thanks!
A special thanks to Alan and Carol Ann Olson for their generous gift, ensuring that the Stegner Awards will continue to honor those who have the greatest influence on the West, for many years to come!
To see all of the videos from Stegner Award events,
visit our YouTube page.
October 3, 2019
Sheriff
October 2, 2018
Documentary Maker
December 7, 2017
December 7, 2017
April 13, 2016
Op-ed Columnist for the New York Times
Award-winning Author
April 20, 2015
Serving Boulder County and beyond since 1947
April 25, 2013
Award-winning Author
Historian
April 25, 2012
Bestselling Author
October 27, 2011
Frequent Contributer to The New Yorker
Pulitzer Prize Winner
September 28, 2010
Entrepreneur
Philanthropist
February 26, 2009
Award-winning
Western Author
April 17, 2008
First Female Supreme Court Justice
September 27, 2007
Award-winning Author
November 2, 2006
Native American Rights Activist
November 2, 2006
Native American Rights Activist
November 2, 2005
Award-winning Author
October 28, 2003
Author
October 23, 2002
Author
Professor Emeritus of History
Former Executive
Director of the NCAI
January 1, 2001
Award-winning Author
February 17, 1999
Author
Naturalist at Yellowstone National Park
January 1, 1998
Environmental Author
Former Editor of Wilderness Magazine
June 1, 1997
Former Montana Statesman
Former Mayor of Missoula
January 1, 1997
Award-winning Author and Poet Professor Emeritus of English at CU
June 1, 1996
Manager of the Western History/Genealogy Department of the Denver Public Library
January 1, 1996
Award-winning Author Western Historian
June 1, 1995
Western Author
Historian
January 1, 1995
Artist
Activist for Native American Issues
January 1, 1991
Pulitzer Prize-winning Author
June 1, 1990
Former Editor of The Denver Post
January 1, 1990
Publisher of High Country News
Angry as one may be at what heedless men have done and still do to a noble habitat, one cannot be pessimistic about the West. This is the native home of hope. When it fully learns that cooperation, not rugged individualism, is the quality that most characterizes and preserves it, then it will have achieved itself and outlived its origins. Then it has a chance to create a society to match its scenery.
-Wallace Stegner
