“I was trying to think, ‘Well, what have I done that President Sands is calling,’” Giovanni joked. Yet, Giovanni said she was surprised when she answered a phone call from Sands telling her that she would receive the Ut Prosim award. Throughout her life, she has proven herself a fierce advocate of inclusion and equality, uplifted the Black experience in America, advocated for other Black writers, and used her creative talents to help the university in times of tragedy.
With accolades and achievements as numerous as the stars in the night sky, she continues to be a prominent voice, using written words to delve into social issues regarding race and gender. Narrowing down Giovanni’s contributions to society isn’t easy. “She embodies the spirit of Ut Prosim, and we are proud to honor her extraordinary legacy at Virginia Tech with this award.” “Throughout her career Nikki Giovanni has served the university community with distinction, inspired her students, and uplifted the Black experience everywhere through her relentless commitment to diversity and equity,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. The award was established in 2016 to recognize the application of scholarship in extraordinary service to humanity. Giovanni retired from the university in 2022 after 35 years as a professor in the Department of English. The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors passed a resolution to honor Giovanni with the award at its March meeting. Giovanni is among a select few faculty to receive the Ut Prosim Scholar Award. Now, she is the fifth recipient of a top award for Virginia Tech faculty.
Renowned author, activist, and University Distinguished Professor Emerita Nikki Giovanni has proven this through her words and her life. It is a call to action and a balm during the most difficult of times. There is a lot more to poetry than pretty words on a page.
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