WCU Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Donald Justice Poetry Prize
Center for Creative Writing and Poetry Honors Legacy of Iris N. Spencer and the Enduring
Impact of Kean Spencer’s Vision
West Chester University’s Center for Creative Writing and Poetry (CCWP) gathered students, faculty, and literary supporters on November 6, 2025, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the prestigious Donald Justice Poetry Prize—a milestone that also honored the extraordinary generosity of benefactor Kean W. Spencer.
Established in 2005, the Spencer Poetry Awards were created by Spencer in memory of his mother, Iris N. Spencer, to recognize the outstanding poetic achievements of college students from across the United States. The awards support and celebrate unpublished, original poetry written in traditional forms such as meter, rhyme, and received structures. Each year, the competition offers a first prize of $1,500 and a runner-up award of $500.
As part of the Spencer Poetry Awards, the Donald Justice Poetry Prize honors the distinguished American poet, teacher, and Pulitzer Prize winner whose legacy continues to shape the field of poetry. The prize recognizes an unpublished, original book-length manuscript that demonstrates attention to form. The winning poet receives $1,500 and publication—an opportunity that has launched and elevated emerging literary voices for two decades.
Senior Associate Vice President for Student Success at WCU’s University College, Tabitha Adkins, hosted the November 6 celebration, guiding the audience through the evening’s recognition of literary excellence and philanthropy. West Chester University President Laurie Bernotsky attended the event and formally recognized Spencer for his enduring commitment to student writers and the literary arts.
In a moving highlight of the evening, President Bernotsky was presented with an engraved
wooden box handcrafted by Professor Thomas Haughey in the Department of Theatre and
Dance. The box contained all of the manuscripts published through the Donald Justice
Poetry Prize over the last 20 years. Each manuscript, signed by its author, documents
the powerful legacy of the prize. The presentation was made by Kean Spencer, and the
collection will be permanently housed in the WCU’s Francis Harvey Green Library’s
Special Collections, preserving this important literary history for future generations.
The celebration also marked an exciting new chapter for the Poetry Center. Following a recently completed strategic planning process led by Professor Nancy Pearson, the center is now known as the Center for Creative Writing and Poetry (CCWP)—a name that reflects its expanded, inclusive mission. Dr. Kristine Ervin was announced as the new director for the center’s inaugural year under its new identity.
Under this refreshed vision, the CCWP will continue to sponsor the Spencer Poetry Awards—including the Donald Justice Poetry Prize, Iris N. Spencer Undergraduate Poetry Award, Myong Cha Son Haiku Award, Wil Mills Chapbook Award, Rhina P. Espaillat Award, Sonnet Poetry Award, and Villanelle Poetry Award—while also welcoming visiting poets and writers, supporting creative scholarship, and fostering community engagement.
The CCWP’s mission remains focused on bringing poetry and creative writing to an ever-widening audience while nurturing the talents of students and writers within the University and beyond.