!["Like many scholars and practicing writers who also teach," writes Lisa Russ Spaar, "I do so because I loved being a student and am grateful for the ways in which teaching invites a lifetime practice of intellectual, creative rigor and (re) visiting texts in fresh ways." Described by colleague Michael Levenson as a "teaching legend," Spaar is praised by students for giving them "new ways to think about poetry and the recurring themes of love, death, truth, beauty, God and time."
A former student writes, "She expected us to move fluidly between critical and writerly lenses. In this way, Professor Spaar not only supported my developing sensibility as a writer, but also as a young scholar." English department chairman Jahan Ramazani summarizes: "Lisa Russ Spaar is a stunning teacher, one of the very best at the University and quite possibly anywhere in the country."
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Lisa Spaar, professor of creative writing, was awarded the annual Carole Weinstein Prize in Poetry at the 14th annual Library of Virginia Literary Awards in Richmond last weekend. Spaar was recognized for her contribution to poetry in Central Virginia and received $10,000.
Spaar said she was honored to be named alongside past winners of the award, which include Pulitzer Prize winners Charles Wright and Claudia Emerson.
"The real value of the prize is just the gratification of being recognized by my peers and being included in this group of people," Spaar said.
Spaar's achievements include being the founder and director of the Area Program in Poetry Writing at the University, which is in its 11th year. She is also the co-founder of the Route 64 Poetry Consortium, which connects professors who are poets in Central Virginia. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2009 and writes a monthly column about poetry for the Chronicle of Higher Education.
"[She is] a wonderful mentor and teacher for young poets and people studying poetry," said Don Selby Jr., a curator of the prize since 2006 and co-editor of Poetry Daily.
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