West Chester University Poetry Conference

[4] The original core faculty members included Annie Finch, R. S. Gwynn, Mark Jarman, Robert McDowell, and Timothy Steele.

While some of these faculty still return regularly to teach, the faculty has expanded in recent years to include Kim Addonizio, Rhina Espaillat, B. H. Fairchild, Rachel Hadas, Molly Peacock, Mary Jo Salter, A. E. Stallings, and many other widely published New Formalists.

[4] In 2003, Gioia stepped down as co-director of the conference in order to become chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.

[4] That year's concert of art song featured Natalie Merchant, who sung the poetry of various poets of the past.

The other two were given to recognize local regional undergraduate work in the Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania until 2012, when they were expanded to become nationally-competitive prizes.