SIUE English Professor Receives Nomination For NAACP Award
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Assistant English Language and Literature Professor Adrian Matejka has received an NAACP Image Awards nomination for an Outstanding Literary Work in Poetry for his book "Mixology."
Edwardsville, Ill. (Vocus) January 26, 2010
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Assistant English Language and Literature Professor Adrian Matejka will share billing with actors Laurence Fishburne, Vanessa Williams, Denzel Washington and other noted celebrities at the 41st Annual NAACP Image Awards.
Matejka has received an Image Awards nomination for an Outstanding Literary Work in Poetry for his book "Mixology" (Penguin Group, 2009). Although "Mixology" had already been selected for the 2008 National Poetry Series and won an Illinois Arts Council Literary Award, this new honor came as quite a surprise. “I was nominated for 'The Devil's Garden' (Alice James Book, 2003) back in 2004, but I wasn't a finalist that year,” Matejka explainedsaid.
“And this year, I had no idea I was in the running at all until I found out I was one of the final nominees.”
The NAACP awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on Friday Feb. 26 and will be televised on the Fox network. Nominees are being voted on this week by NAACP members.
"Mixology" differs from Matejka’s earlier work. “America is a very different place now, a place that requires a different kind of poem,” Matejka said. “I’m really drawn to the ways that race, history, and cultural identity influence pop culture. In 'Mixology,' I tried to explore these ideas with proper deference,” Matejka said.
In the past, the NAACP Image Awards has provided a venue or stage for people of color to receive accolades and recognition for their work in entertainment and literature. The awards celebrate “the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice,” according to the Image Awards Web site.
A group of 300 NAACP leaders and industry professionals select nominees in 53 categories, focusing on motion pictures, television, writing and directing, recording and literature. Winners of the awards are selected through votes cast by NAACP members.
“Being one of the final nominees is humbling to say the least,” Matejka said of his award nomination. “The NAACP has advocated for the rights of people of color in the United States for over 100 years. Were it not for the work of the NAACP and of other socially conscious organizations and individuals, I wouldn't have been able to do the things I've been able to do.
“So, as a teacher and a poet, in a lot of ways, I’m the result of the work they’ve done,” Matejka added.
Colleagues at SIUE have encouraged Matejka in his work, and are proud of his accomplishments. Associate Professor Larry LaFond, chair of the department, said his teaching staff is proud of Matejka’s work. “Faculty... were understandably very proud of Professor Matejka when he received national critical acclaim for his book, 'Mixology,'” LaFond said.
“However, this latest recognition is extraordinary--we could not be happier for Professor Matekja and consider SIUE very fortunate to have a poet of his caliber in our faculty ranks," LaFond said. “Students who pursue a creative writing degree at SIUE are very fortunate to have nationally recognized writers like Professor Matejka teaching them.”
With support from SIUE’s Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Matejka is planning on attending the Feb. 26 event. “It goes without saying that this is a great honor,” he said. “It speaks both to the creative work I’ve been doing and the institutional support I’ve received,” he said.
And, Matejka wouldn’t mind rubbing elbows with some of the stars and celebrities who will be at the ceremony. “I’d like to meet Denzel Washington. He gets a shout out in one of the poems in 'Mixology' (“Domo Arigato, Mr. Mulatto”) and I’d like to give him a copy,” he added.
“If I make it to the red carpet, I’ll try not to trip,” Matejka quipped.
Editors: A photo of Professor Matejka is available on the SIUE News Web site: http://www. siue. edu/news/current. shtml#Matejka (http://www. siue. edu/news/current. shtml#Matejka)].
The SIUE College of Arts and Sciences (http://www. siue. edu/artsandsciences/) combines foundational education with diverse and highly-specialized coursework. Faculty help students explore diversity of ideas, experiences and people while learning to think and live as fulfilled, productive members of a global society. The College offers degree programs in the arts, humanities and social and natural sciences.
The SIUE Department of English Language and Literature (http://www. siue. edu/ENGLISH/) offers, through its undergraduate program (http://www. siue. edu/ENGLISH/Ugrad/ugrad_index. html), a baccalaureate in English as well as a bachelor of science in English Education, in conjunction with the SIUE School of Education (http://www. siue. edu/education/); minors are offered in creative writing and linguistics as well as an “open” minor in English itself.
The department also offers, through its graduate program (http://www. siue. edu/ENGLISH/Grad/grad_index. html), a number of advanced-study options. We feature two master’s programs: (1) master’s in English, with specializations in American and English literature, creative writing, teaching of writing and teaching English as a second language; and (2) master of science in education. The department also offers three post-baccalaureate certificate programs for those interested in advanced study and an additional credential without having to commit to two full years (or more) of a master’s program: currently we offer post-baccalaureate certificates in American and English literature, teaching of English as a second language and teaching of writing.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (http://www. siue. edu/) is a nationally recognized public university offering a broad choice of degrees and programs ranging from career-oriented fields of study to the essential, more traditional, liberal arts. At SIUE we offer 44 baccalaureate degrees, 13 post-baccalaureate certificates, 47 master’s degrees, 11 post - master’s certificates, two first-professional degrees, and one post-first professional certificate. Known for an emphasis in health science education, SIUE offers a nursing school (http://www. siue. edu/nursing/), pharmacy school (http://www. siue. edu/pharmacy/) and dental school (http://www. siue. edu/dentalmedicine/). Additionally undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates are available in engineering programs (http://www. siue. edu/engineering/), business programs (http://www. siue. edu/business/), elementary education programs (http://www. siue. edu/education/) and secondary education programs (http://www. siue. edu/education/).
SIUE offers the advantages of a small, liberal arts college with the lowest tuition rates of any state university in Illinois. Our emphasis on undergraduate education, complemented by faculty research, creates practical applications for student learning. Located in the second most populated area of the state, this Illinois university draws students from all 102 Illinois counties, 42 states and 50 nations.
One of 12 Illinois colleges and universities, SIUE is located on 2,600 acres of rolling hills and woodlands in Edwardsville, just 25 miles from St. Louis, a major metropolitan area. Proximity to the St. Louis area enhances SIUE’s energy and vitality. The campus is easily accessed from several major interstates, while the city of Edwardsville offers ample opportunity for jobs, entertainment, shopping and fun.
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