Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Governor Minner Names JoAnn Balingit the New Poet Laureate of Delaware
Dover – Governor Ruth Ann Minner named Newark resident JoAnn Balingit as the new Poet Laureate for the state of Delaware at a press conference in the Governor’s Dover office this morning.
“We received many nominations this year for the position of Poet Laureate, and JoAnn stood out as a top candidate from the start,” said Governor Minner. “Her background and talent made her an obvious choice for this prestigious position, and I know she will serve our residents well while continuing to enrich our strong literary heritage.”
Ms. Balingit served as an adjunct professor of poetry at the University of South Florida, University of Kentucky and University of Delaware and teaches poetry at the Wellness Community - Delaware. She holds advanced degrees in English, American literature and Library and Information Science and has been actively involved in the Cape Henlopen Writers’ Retreat and the John Milton Celebration of Poets and Poetry. Her poetry skills have been recognized with awards from the Delaware Literary Connection and the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild, and her manuscript, Forage, was a finalist in the 2006 Bright Hill Press Chapbook Contest. This year, she is a contributor to the national anthology, Best New Poets 2007.
The Poet Laureate nomination and selection process is managed by the Delaware Division of the Arts. The evaluation criteria for the nominees includes demonstrated skill and quality of work, influence on other writers, commitment to literature and poetry education, statewide or national reputation and ability to represent the state at official functions. Nominations were judged by three out-of-state, nationally-recognized professionals in the field of poetry, and recommendations were forwarded to the Delaware State Arts Council for additional review.
Delaware’s Poet Laureate is an honorary position appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the Governor. The first Poet Laureate of Delaware, Edna Deemer Leach, was appointed in 1947 by Governor Walter W. Bacon. As the 16th Poet Laureate of Delaware, JoAnn Balingit will serve as an advocate for poetry and for education in the literary arts and will give readings of her work statewide.
