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June 12, 2002

Media Contact: Jan Jennings (858) 822-1684, or 
                       Dolores Davies (858) 534-5994

UCSD LITERATURE PROFESSOR QUINCY TROUPE
APPOINTED CALIFORNIA’S OFFICIAL POET LAUREATE

Award-winning poet Quincy Troupe, a professor of creative writing and American and Caribbean literature at the University of California, San Diego, has been appointed California’s official Poet Laureate.

The announcement was made Tuesday in Sacramento by California First Lady Sharon Davis. Troupe was officially sworn in as state Poet Laureate by Barry Hessenius, director of the California Arts Council.

“This honor speaks volumes about Quincy Troupe’s substantial talent as a poet and a performer, as well as his mesmerizing ability to utilize the power of language to connect and unite people from all ages, backgrounds, and perspectives,” said UCSD Chancellor Robert C. Dynes. “With his considerable gifts, he will, as our new Poet Laureate, be a major asset to the citizens of California in enhancing learning and literacy.”

Troupe becomes the first official California Poet Laureate. Five former state Poet Laureates served in an unofficial capacity, with the most recent, Charles “Gus” Garrigus, serving from 1966 until his death two years ago. California is the 24th state to officially name a Poet Laureate.

“The University of California is honored to have one of its own, Quincy Troupe, named the state of California’s Poet Laureate,” said UC President Richard C. Atkinson. “This distinction is a major acknowledgment of Professor Troupe’s remarkable talents and the brilliance of his thinking as revealed in poetry.”

In announcing Troupe’s appointment, Mrs. Davis lauded Troupe for his inspirational  love for poetry. “Beyond his many awards and accomplishments,” Mrs. Davis said, “Quincy is simply a gifted poet with the rare ability to make words come alive.”

Known for his passion to promote literacy in youths and within the schools via poetry and for his ability to bring together artists of all races and ethnicities, styles and approaches, the multi-talented Troupe is spirited poet, performer, author, editor, organizer, and educator.

 “Quincy will bring tremendous enthusiasm, energy, and of course, artistic prowess, to this important position,” said Frantisek Deak, dean of the UCSD Division of Arts and Humanities. “Californians from all parts of the state will benefit from his wisdom and talent.”

A resident of La Jolla, Troupe, 62, grew up in St. Louis, Mo., and received a bachelor’s degree from Grambling State College in Louisiana. He is the author of 13 books, including six volumes of  poetry. He has had poetry, articles, and essays in more than 200 publications throughout the world. He edited James Baldwin: The Legacy and was co-author with jazz musician Miles Davis of the best-selling Miles: The Autobiography. He is the founding editorial director Code magazine.

Troupe’s 13th book, take it to the hoop, Magic Johnson is based on his “poem for Magic” and was published has a children’s book. His 14th book, Transcircularities: New and Selected Poems, will be published in the Fall.

Troupe’s honors include two American Book Awards for poetry and non-fiction and the Peabody Award for co-producing and writing the radio show, The Miles Davis Radio Project. He is a two-time winner of the Heavyweight Champion of Poetry competition sponsored by the World Poetry Bout of Taos, New Mexico.

An innovative organizer, Troupe is the founding artistic director of Artists on the Cutting Edge: Cross Fertilizations, a literary and performing arts series in its 10th season sponsored by the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego. The museum’s Hugh Davies and Anne Farrell nominated Troupe for California Poet Laureate.

Academy of American Poets

Troupe’s duties as state Poet Laureate will include a minimum of six poetry readings during the two-year term. These will be presented in regions of the state which will provide constituents access to at least one of the readings. He also will participate in projects to bring the poetic arts to all Californians who might otherwise have little opportunity for exposure to poetry.

Poet Laureate Troupe will coordinate his activities with the California Arts Council which conducted the search for the California Poet Laureate. It accepted more than 50 nominees and narrowed the field to three from which Gov. Gray Davis selected Troupe.  Troupe prevailed over Diane Di Prima, a widely published San Francisco author who has written books of poems and contributed to numerous anthologies of poetry, and Francisco X. Alarcón, a Chicano poet and teacher at the University of California, Davis.

Troupe’s selection must be confirmed by the state Senate which is expected to vote on the appointment this summer.