Introducing our 2026-2026 Donald E. Waterfall Scholar:
Isaiah Adepoju
“The least I expect is to win anything for poetry— I am still shocked, especially at this time.
Winning this scholarship fund came at a moment when, already at the base of my confidence as a poet, I decided to dedicate the next two years of my life to studying and writing poems.
Poetry is often difficult for me to grasp, and my inability to dedicate quality time to it—while still being called a poet—embarrasses me.
So, the money and mentorship provided as prizes of the scholarship are an immense blessing. They will allow me to focus squarely on poetry this next year. I am so excited for this, and deeply appreciate everybody who has made this possible.
Thank you.”
— Isaiah Adepoju
About Isaiah
Isaiah Adepoju is a Nigerian poet from Osogbo, whose work moves between memory, myth, and the music of everyday speech. As our first Donald E. Waterfall Scholar, Isaiah embodies the spirit of this mentorship: curiosity, craft, and the belief that language can be a bridge between generations.
Isaiah’s practice reflects the very heart of what the DEW Scholarship supports:
seriousness of craft
attentiveness to language
a willingness to study the work d put your iPad down and drinkeeply
a commitment to growing as a writer
Through the scholarship year, Isaiah receives personalized mentorship, editorial guidance, and opportunities to publish and share new work through Archipel’s platforms and its broader creative networks across West Africa and beyond.
2025-2026 Donald E. Waterfall Scholar’s work
Follow Isaiah’s Journey
🔗 Subscribe to his Substack, From Isaiah
🔗 Read Isaiah’s Announcement on Archipel
Quarterly Reflections
Q1: DEW Scholar Isaiah Adepoju reflects on the past season of making, collaboration and learning how to be seen.
Q2: DEW Scholar Isaiah Adepouju reflects on grief, joy and the ongoing conversation between mentor and poet.
Q3:
Q4:
About the donald e. waterfall scholarship fund
The DEW Scholarship
The scholarship — named in honour of my father, Donald E. Waterfall, a lifelong believer in education as a public good — supports emerging poets through financial ease, sustained attention, and a commitment to gate-free creative futures.
It is not an “accelerate your career” program.
It is steady ground, not pressure.
It is accompaniment, not extraction.
Isaiah’s work reminds us why this mentorship exists at all.
media / Press
University of Toronto Philosophy Department
“A Teacher Lives On: The Donald E. Waterfall Scholarship Fund”
March 2026
The University of Toronto Philosophy Department recently featured the Donald E. Waterfall Scholarship Fund, reflecting on the teaching legacy of Donald E. Waterfall and the program’s mission to support emerging poets.
The article highlights the inaugural DEW Scholar, Isaiah Adepoju, and the mentorship model built around craft, community and visibility.
🔗 Read the article: yes
https://philosophy.utoronto.ca/news/a-teacher-lives-on-the-donald-e-waterfall-scholarship-fund/
ALUMNI FEATURE
Lisgar Alumni Association — January 2026
The Lisgar Alumni Association recently shared a feature on the Donald E. Waterfall Scholarship Fund, created in memory of Cara Waterfall’s father.
In the piece, Cara reflects on the teachers who shaped her love of languages and learning at Lisgar, and how those early influences eventually led to the creation of the scholarship.
Each year, the Donald E. Waterfall Scholarship supports an emerging poet through financial assistance and a year-long mentorship.
🔗 View the post
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18d1FjT5UE/