The Tompkins County Legislature has appointed Paul Hamill, director of academic funding and sponsored programs, as the Tompkins County poet laureate for 2007. This is a great honor for Paul, whose published works include long poems, multipage narratives, meditations, monologues, a collection ("The Year of Blue Snow"), and three chapbooks: "Sainte Ariadne," "Last Things at Night," and "Winter Mind").

Paul joined Ithaca College 20 years ago after teaching at Morehouse College, Indiana State University, and Temple University and serving as an administrator at the College of Charleston. He was the first board chair of the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County and is a founding board member of Ithaca City of Asylum.

Paul's duties in his new role include highlighting the county's broad poetry scene and giving public readings of his work throughout his tenure.

Please join us in congratulating our colleague and Alumni Hall resident scholar-poet on this great honor.