Dr. Ken Hada, who co-founded and directed East Central University’s Annual Scissortail Creative Writing Festival for 13 straight years, was recently presented with the Glenda Carlile Distinguished Service Award during the 29th Annual Oklahoma Book Awards in Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma Book Awards event brought authors, poets, illustrators, designers, publishers and avid readers together to celebrate some of Oklahoma’s most talented literary standouts.
Former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh, an ECU alumnus, served as the master of ceremonies for the event.
“I was shocked to receive the award. I was at the event because my book was a finalist for an award and I was completely caught off-guard as the award was occurring,” said Hada. “One of the few times I was speechless.”
Through the Scissortail Creative Writing Festival, which he co-founded with Hugh Tribbey, Hada brings together some of the nation’s top authors and poets for a three-day seminar on the ECU campus in April. The free event is open to the public as 50 or more writers, authors and poets converge on the campus each year. Hundreds flock to campus to hear the authors and gain a valuable literary experience.
“I also told a number of colleagues, that I see this recognition as affirmation of all of us who work so hard to make the Scissortail Festival a success here at ECU,” Hada said. “We are doing something unique and I’m fortunate to have a lot of good help.”
Hada’s book, Bring an Extry Mule, was a finalist in the Poetry Division. The publisher of the book is Purple Flag Press.
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