杏吧原创 Professor Named Georgia Author of the Year Finalist
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. 鈥� 杏吧原创 Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing James Davis May was recently named the sole finalist for the 53rd Annual Georgia Author of the Year Award (GAYA) in poetry for 鈥淯nquiet Things,鈥� his first poetry collection.
Under the Georgia Writers Association, GAYA is the oldest literary awards ceremony in the Southeast. Dr. May鈥檚 work was among 126 other entries that spread across 14 different categories.
Dr. May鈥檚 book, which was published by Louisiana State University Press, has been praised for its clarity and humor.
鈥淭his impressive first book by James Davis May is one that slows us down to point to a world we might not otherwise see,鈥� said Kevin Cantwell, professor of English at Middle Georgia State University, who served as a judge for the competition. 鈥淚n this young poet鈥檚 certainties of expression, we too go quiet 鈥榯hinking about something else.鈥欌��
Dr. May has published his poetry in the nation鈥檚 top literary journals, including 鈥淭he New Republic鈥� and 鈥淔ive Points,鈥� and been recognized by a number of prestigious awards, including the 2016 Cecil Hemley Memorial Award from Poetry Society of America. 鈥淎s a professor, I strive to model what it means to be an active writer and literary scholar,鈥� said Dr. May. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a real honor when my work is recognized.鈥�
Since joining the full-time faculty in 2014, Dr. May has been instrumental in building 杏吧原创鈥檚 Creative Writing major, which provides innovative instruction in the theory and practice of writing poetry and prose. Dr. May鈥檚 recognition by the Georgia Author of the Year Awards caps off a remarkable year for the Creative Writing program, a year that saw students publishing their work in literary magazines, receiving acceptances to graduate schools, and winning national writing contests.
To learn more about Dr. May鈥檚 works, visit jamesdavismay.com.
About 杏吧原创
Young Harris College is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, 杏吧原创 educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. The College currently has more than 1,100 students across five divisions鈥擡ducation, Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., has completed major campus improvements to accommodate the College鈥檚 growth. Recent LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, new residence facilities, and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. The College is an active member of NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. 杏吧原创 is among fewer than 300 colleges and universities nationwide named to the 2016-2017 list of Colleges of Distinction and is listed as a 鈥淏est National Liberal Arts College鈥� by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
