Professor emeritus receives literary award

John W. “Doc” Crawford, professor emeritus of language and literature of Henderson State University, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters from the International Biographical Centre of Great Britain for his contributions to the academic world through essays and poetry in numerous literary journals, and for his three volumes of poetry and four academic book publications.

Crawford has earned degrees from Ouachita Baptist University, Drake University, and the Oklahoma State University, with other studies from the University of Colorado and the University of Iowa.

Crawford has been listed in numerous biographical publications, including “Dictionary of International Biography,” “Who’s Who in International Poetry,” “Who’s Who in the South and Southwest,” “Contemporary Poets” and “1,000 Outstanding Intellectuals.” His literary awards include the Sybil Nash Abrams Award in 1982 and 1995, the Georgia Narrative Poetry Prize in 1994, the Arkansas Haiku Prize in 1995 and the Grand Prize of the International Poetry Society in 2007. He was awarded the Scholar and Teacher Award by the College English Association upon his retirement and given a life membership. Also, he was given a life membership in Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary organization of graduate work, and a charter member of the HSU chapter.

Crawford’s forthcoming volume of poetry, “Female Voices from the Bible,” will be available in July, published by Christian Faith Publishers, Pa.