TU literary magazine “Grub Street” wins gold, again

Six students also recognized for their contributions to the award-winning publication

By Rebecca Kirkman on February 14, 2020

Grub Street volume 68 with flowers behind

For TU literary and arts magazine “Grub Street,” the recognition keeps on coming. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) awarded volume 68 a Gold Circle Award, the 17th year in a row Grub Street has been recognized.

An international student press association created in 1925 and operated by Columbia University, the CSPA’s annual competitions honor excellence in student publishing.

Grub Street volume 68 was released in spring 2019. Six individuals were recognized for their contributions to the publication, in categories ranging from essays and poetry to illustration.

Andi McIver ’19 received first place in the “Essays in Magazines” category for “Ubuntu.”

McIver wrote the piece, about growing up in South Africa, as her final essay for the course “Writing Creative Nonfiction” with Assistant Professor of English Jeannie Vanasco, who encouraged McIver to submit the piece to “Grub Street.”

“I’m very touched that I can share such a significant part of my life with people and that it was well received,” McIver says. “I feel like I’ve done my country proud.”

Grub Street staff at release
The student staff of “Grub Street” at the volume 68 launch party on May 8, 2019.

Emely Rodriguez ’17 received third place in the “Closed (Traditional) Form Poetry for Magazines” category for “Zion in El Salvador.” Sam Henry '20, Katya Buresh '20, Roselyn Dooley ’19 and McKenna Sites '20 were also recognized for their individual contributions.

Begun in 1952, “Grub Street” is run by undergraduate students enrolled in “Editing the Literary Magazine,” taught by Jeannie Vanasco. It is funded by the Office of the Provost.

For Brenna Ebner ’20, the magazine’s editor in chief, the award reinforces the success of “Grub Street” and the high standards the staff works toward with each issue. The magazine also serves as a needed venue for creative expression.

“I think creative work is easily overlooked,” says the English major. “So the magazine provides a space to feel accomplished through published works and brings back the emphasis on the importance of creativity and creative outlets. [...] “It creates a community and sparks conversations from the variety of works included in the issue.”