2005
Ann Townsend
Poet

2004
Ethelbert Miller
Poet, Professor, Editor
 
2003
Steven Dunn
Poet, Teacher
 
2002
Stanley Plumly
Poet, Teacher
 
2001
Michael Collier
Poet, Editor, Teacher

2000
Henry Taylor
Poet, Teacher

1999
Jean Valentine
Poet, Teacher
 
1998
John Douglas Western Maryland College Class of '69, Writen
Eric Byrd Western Maryland College Class of '93, Musician
 
1997
Elanor Wilner
Poet, Teacher
 
1996
Roland Flint
Poet, Teacher
 
1995
Mary Swander
Poet, Essayist, Teacher
 
1994
Conrad Hilberry
Poet, Editor, Teacher
 
1993
Nina Cassian
Poet, Fiction Writer
 
1992
Philip Levine
Poet, Teacher, Translator
 
1991
Josephine Jacobsen
Poet, Short Story Writer, Critic
 
1990
Ellen Bryant Voigt
Poet, Teacher
 
1989
William Heyen
Poet, Critic, Teacher, Editor, and Short Story Writer
 
1988
Dave Smith
Essayist, Playwright, Novelist, and Short Story Writer
 
1987
John Wheatcroft - Inaugural
Presidential Professor, Bucknell University, Poet, Playwright, Novelist, and Short Story Writer