OXFORD, Miss. – John Hodges, a published fiction writer
enrolled in the University of Mississippi’s acclaimed
Master of Fine Arts in creative writing program, has been
awarded a $3,000 scholarship by the university’s MFA
committee.
Philanthropist Jim Barksdale funded the scholarship as part
of his support for the program.
“This award assists the Department of English to continue
its progress toward excellence in the delivery of its
degrees,” said Patrick Quinn, department chair. “Thanks to
our generous benefactors, we are proud of our high-rated
MFA program and the professors who make Ole Miss a top
choice for graduate education.”
“I am deeply honored by the award,” said Hodges, of Florida
and Alaska. “The many writers and outstanding teachers of
Oxford have, in the short time that I have been here,
offered so much support and inspiration. I greatly value
their dedication and friendship.”
Hodges’ short stories have appeared in more than a dozen
print journals, including American Short Fiction, The
Chattachoochie Review and Iron Horse Literary Review. His
story “Crying Babies in Heaven” was nominated for a
Pushcart Prize.
As a photographer, he participated in Light Work’s
artist-in-residence program. His photographs have appeared
widely and can be seen in the current issue of
fstopmagazine.com. His poem “The Teller on the Right” is
slated to appear in Rattle, a biannual poetry journal, in
December.
Hodges received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from
Florida State University.
The MFA program in creative writing recently has been
listed by The Atlantic Monthly magazine as one of the top
five up-and-coming writing programs in the nation.
“We must rely on donors to be truly excellent,” said Barry
Hannah, director of the MFA program. “We are lucky for
Barksdale and John and Renee Grisham, our angels and
stone-fine, stand-up people.”
For more information about the UM Department of English,
call 662-915-7439 or go to