Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and two-term poet laureate of the United States, Rita Dove, is the 2006 recipient of The Harold and Ethel L. Stellfox Visiting Scholars and Writers Program award. In addition to the awarding of the prize, Dove read from her works, talked to students and signed copies of her books while on campus.

Most recently the poet laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Dove has been awarded numerous literary and academic honors. In addition to her 1987 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for "Thomas and Beulah," she received the 2003 Emily Couric Leadership Award, the 2001 Duke Ellington Lifetime Achievement Award, the 1997 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, the 1996 Heinz Award in the Arts and Humanities, and the 1996 National Humanities Medal. In 2006 she received the coveted Common Wealth Award of Distinguished Service, along with CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper; former astronaut and Sen. John Glenn; Academy Award-winning film and stage director Mike Nichols; and Queen Noor of Jordan.

The Harold and Ethel L. Stellfox Visiting Scholars and Writers Program was established by alumna Jean Stellfox '60, in honor her parents.

Read the Press Release for this event.
View more photos of Dove's visit.