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“Philosophically astute, compelling and grounded in the material earth” is how Christine Cusick, Ph.D., associate professor of English and composition, described former student Noah Davis’ work during his four years at ��������Ƶ.

This year, Davis was selected as the winner of the 2019 (Emerging) Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize for his collection of poetry titled "Of This River." His work will be published in 2020. 

“Noah has achieved at an early stage of his career what most writers work decades to accomplish, and he does so with deep humility and a genuine passion for the ways words shape and reflect our world."

An English literature major, Noah took the label “student-athlete” seriously. As a 1,000 point scorer throughout his four years on the ��������Ƶ and a student in the Honors Program, his list of achievements is impressive both on and off the court.

“Noah has won many writing awards,” said Dr. Cusick when asked to comment on her former student's latest recognition. “Even as an undergraduate, Noah possessed a deeply genuine and self-motivated work ethic. His poetry has always conveyed an intellectual acuity and nuanced sensory perception of the world around him.” As a student, his poems “Mending” and “Saint Francis” were nominated for the Pushcart Prize, an honored literary project, by the journals Natural Bridge and Poet Lore.

With over 20 notable publications and a list of awards and accomplishments of her own, Dr. Cusick remains impressed with the success of her former advisee and has enjoyed watching him continue to grow as a creative writer and poet. “Noah has achieved at an early stage of his career what most writers work decades to accomplish, and he does so with deep humility and a genuine passion for the ways words shape and reflect our world."

Noah is set to complete his M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Indiana University next year.