David Middleton, Languages and literature department head and poet-in-residence, received the 2006 Governor’s Arts Award in the Professional Artist category, which will be presented by Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu Nov. 8 in Baton Rouge. The annual Arts Awards are Louisiana’s most prestigious awards honoring the arts, according to the letter from the lieutenant governor’s office notifying Middleton of the honor.

“Considering how many good poets there are in the state, to be selected for an award of this stature is quite pleasing,” Middleton said.

He said he feels a “mixture of gratitude and humility.”

Middleton started writing poetry as a teenager and has continued for 42 years. He writes many poems about north and south Louisiana and about the history of the South. Middleton said the landscape and people of Louisiana and English culture inspire him.

Middleton has published five books since 1991, one of which, “The Language of the Heart,” was named best book of verse by a Louisianan for 2003 by The Advocate’s book reviewer Greg Langley. His other books include “The Burning Fields,” “As Fare as Light Remains,” “Beyond the Chandeleurs” and “The Habitual Peacefulness of Gruchy: Poems After Pictures by Jean-Francois Millet.” Middleton was also awarded the Allen Tate Award from “The Sewanee Review” for best verse in that journal for 2005. “The Sewanee Review” was founded in 1892 and is the oldest continuously published literary quarterly in America.

Middleton said when he was given the title poet-in-residence in 1992, his class load was reduced from 12 to nine hours per semester, allowing him more time to write.

“I owe a debt to this University for supporting my writing over many years,” he said. “If whatever publicity this will generate can draw students to Nicholls or make students here want to take English or creative writing courses, that would thrill me the most. This is the only school I ever taught at, and I will retire from here in a few years, so I am very devoted to Nicholls and the students that come here.”

Badiollah Asrabadi, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said he also hopes the publicity produced will benefit recruitment.

“It is a great prestige and honor to bring to the University and faculty. We are very excited and proud of Dr. Middleton,” Asrabadi said. “I truly believe that he deserves it.