Rice University Professor Kiese Laymon Awarded MacArthur Fellowship, Receives $800k Genius Grant

Renowned Professor of English at Rice University, Kiese Laymon, has achieved a milestone by being honored with the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as the "genius grant," for the 2022 cohort. Professor Laymon, an exceptional Black Southern writer, becomes only the second individual in Rice University's history to receive this esteemed award.

His literary contributions, spanning essays, memoirs, and fiction, reflect his unique perspective as a Black Southern man, capturing the essence of various forms of violence. Professor Laymon's written works, deeply rooted in his experiences, have garnered critical acclaim.

READ ALSO: 42 Adekunle Ajasin University Students Achieve First Class Honors in 12th Convocation

Expressing his gratitude for the MacArthur Fellowship, Professor Laymon humbly remarked, "I’m not big into awards and recognition, but this one feels special. Revision and Mississippi did this. I’m just thankful. Some really incredible people thought my work was OK. That’s a big deal to me."

As part of the 2022 Cohort of MacArthur Fellows, Professor Laymon receives a cash prize of $800,000, providing flexibility in utilizing the funds. Rice University's President, Reginald DesRoches, emphasized the significance of Laymon's win for the university, describing it as a tremendous victory for both the School of Humanities and the institution as a whole.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU: Mareena Robinson Snowden: Pioneering the Path as the First Black Woman with a Nuclear Engineering PhD from MIT

Reginald DesRoches stated, "Any time one of our professors’ work is recognized by a prestigious organization such as the MacArthur Foundation, it shines a light on the extremely high-caliber faculty at Rice and the impact of their research, scholarship, and creative pursuits."

Provost Amy Dittmar commended Professor Laymon's swift and profound impact on Rice University since joining, acknowledging his outstanding talent and contributions. Laymon's commitment to artistic connections between middle school students in Houston and Jackson aligns with his plans to use a portion of the grant money for this purpose.

INCASE YOU MISSED: Young Nigerian Orange Seller, Ayomide Adeoye, Graduates with Scholarship After Viral Video

Expressing his happiness about the award, Professor Laymon reflected, "I’m really happy that this happened while I’m at Rice. The MacArthur means a ton to my Jackson family, especially now. I hope it might mean a lot to Rice and Houston."

In line with his commitment to fostering artful connections and nurturing talent, Professor Laymon remains grateful for the support he received, especially from his mother, and encourages the pursuit of daring and excellent art.