Two English professors win prestigious award
Two English professors took top honors at the 2003 National Book Critics Circle 30th annual awards ceremony last night at New School University in New York City.
Paul Hendrickson took home the nonfiction award for his book Sons of Mississippi: A Story of Race and its Legacy, and Susan Stewart was recognized in the poetry category for her collection entitled Columbarium.
"These two people are working at the highest levels of writing. It is just an extraordinary affirmation of what they have done," Kelly Writers House Director Al Filreis said.
Hendrickson called the award a "tremendous honor," as it ranks alongside the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award.
This is the second nomination and first NBCC win for Hendrickson, who is currently working on another book, titled Hemingway's Boat.
Stewart is receiving her first NBCC award and is also currently preparing her next book of poems.
The National Book Critics Circle was founded in 1974 as a nonprofit organization composed of about 700 book editors and critics. The awards include no monetary reward. -- Julia Barmeier
