Join University Distinguished Professor Nikki Giovanni tonight as she recognizes Anhvu Buchanan and his poem “Mission Statement” as the winner in the first-ever competition for the Steger Award.

Buchanan, a senior psychology major from Arlington, Va., also carries a minor in creative writing. Second and third place awards (courtesy of Volume Two Bookstore) and other commendations will be announced tonight, April 20, at 7 p.m. in the Graduate Life Center Auditorium.

The student authors will be on hand to read their work. In addition, Lucinda Roy, Fred D'Aguiar, Jeff Mann, Gyorgyi Voros, and Aileen Murphy, faculty members from the English department’s creative writing program, will be reading selections from their work.

Last fall, students at Virginia Tech were invited to submit a poem about “the future” and compete for “The Steger.” The new award, established by President Charles W. Steger, carries a $1,000 prize and ranks among the most generous for undergraduate poetry students in the nation.

The competition was administered by Giovanni, an internationally recognized poet and member of the English faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences; and judged by a committee of faculty and staff from various disciplines at the university. In addition to the monetary award, a small statue made by local jeweler Faith Capone, will be inscribed and presented to the winner.

“We encouraged undergraduates to explore poetry and poems in all their aspects,” said Giovanni.

While this is a key event for ArtsFusion 2006, there are over 75 events celebrating theatre, music, dance, film and the arts throughout the week (April 19-26).

The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences embraces the arts, humanities, social and human sciences, and education. The College nurtures intellect and spirit, enlightens decision-making, inspires positive change, and improves the quality of life for people of all ages. It is home to the departments of Apparel, Housing & Resource Management; Communication; English; Foreign Languages & Literatures; History; Human Development; Interdisciplinary Studies; Music; Philosophy; Political Science; ROTC; Science and Technology in Society; Sociology; Theatre Arts; and the School of Education.

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