October 26, 2026

Michigan creative writer wins SVSU literature award

Photo of man standing against a brick wall

Aram Mrjoian, lecturer in English at the University of Michigan and managing editor of the “Michigan Quarterly Review,” has been awarded Saginaw Valley State University’s 2026-2027 Stuart D. and Vernice M. Gross Award for Literature for his debut novel “Waterline.” The award is part of SVSU’s community-minded commitment to recognize exceptional publications within Michigan.

Mrjoian will visit SVSU in winter 2027, when he will accept the award as well as visit classes and student groups on campus. He will also receive a $1,000 prize.

“It's been such a tremendous joy to win this award. With this being my first book, I had no way of knowing how it would be received, and it's been quite meaningful to find the novel has resonated well with Michigan readers,” Mrjoian said.

“Waterline” follows four generations of the Kurkjian family, beginning with the grandfather who survived the Armenian genocide during World War I and culminating with the youngest members growing up just outside Detroit, on Michigan’s Grosse Ile. Each of the Kurkjians deals with the legacy of the Armenian genocide as well as with the recent and tragic death of one of the younger family members. Praised for its depth of characterization, its skillful narrative technique, and its moving portrayal of one Armenian family’s grief and resilience, “Waterline” was the unanimous choice of the Gross Award Selection Committee for this year’s award.

The Gross Award for Literature was established in 1994 by the late Stuart D. Gross and his wife, Vernice; it is administered by SVSU. Since 1997, the award has been presented annually, with a few exceptions, to published works in regional history or historical fiction/drama. Preference is given to Michigan subject matter or strong Michigan connections on the part of the author.

Winners are selected by a panel of judges from SVSU’s faculty and staff. Judges this year were M. Patricia Cavanaugh, professor of English; Jules Gehrke, professor of history; Tiler Jewell, research and collection development librarian; Carlos Ramet, associate dean of the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences; and Michelle Strasz, research and online course support librarian.

Employed for many years as a journalist with the Saginaw News, Gross was an early member of SVSU’s staff and served in a variety of public affairs roles. He was recognized as a regional historian and published several books. Among his writings are “Saginaw: A History of the Land and the City,” “When Timber was King” and “Where There is a Will.” Following his retirement from SVSU, Gross wrote and produced a play, “Let’s Have Lunch Sometime.” He died in 1996; Mrs. Gross in 2001.