Every year, independent presses in the U.S. nominate up to six of their best authors for possible inclusion in the “Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses” anthology. Two different publishers have nominated poems by Seton Hill English literature major Noah Davis for the 2017 anthology.

Natural Bridge, A Journal of Contemporary Literature has nominated Noah’s poem, “Saint Francis,” from their Issue No. 34, and Poet Lore, the poetry journal of the Writer’s Center, has nominated the poem “Mending” from their Spring/Summer 2015 issue. Poet Lore claims that they “selected works that stopped us in our tracks upon first reading and stuck with us long after” when choosing their nominations for the prize.

“This is an honor that most poets wait their entire lives to receive,” says Christine Cusick, Ph.D., associate professor of English (and Noah’s advisor.) “This recognition is testimony to Noah's intrinsic gift, to his diligent work ethic and to his deep dedication to his craft.”

A junior at Seton Hill, Noah is a member of the Honors Program and the men’s basketball team.

“I felt very fortunate and blessed to just be published in both Natural Bridge and Poet Lore,” Noah says, “but to have them nominate my work for such a storied award is unbelievable. I’d like to thank all of my professors for their support. Being able to share this with the Seton Hill community means a great deal to me.” 

Described by Publishers Weekly as being among the most influential projects in the history of American publishing, the Pushcart Prize series has received honors from the National Book Critics Circle, the New York Times Book Review, and many others.