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Joshua Bennett - first Warwick Marshall Scholarship

New York professional performance poet Joshua Bennett has been awarded the first Warwick Marshall Scholarship at the University of Warwick.

The Warwick Marshall Scholarship is a one-year award which allows US citizens to undertake postgraduate study at the University. Joshua has just graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with the distinctions of Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude after double majoring in English and African Studies. He will study for an MA in Theatre and Performance Studies during his time at Warwick.

As well as his academic studies, Joshua has recited his original poetry at events such as the Sundance Film Festival and President Barack Obama’s evening of poetry and music at the White House. His first book of poetry, Jesus Riding Shotgun, is currently available for sale through Penmanship Books.

Joshua said: “Receiving the Warwick Marshall Scholarship was an incredible blessing. It is an honour that I accept with a grateful heart, and a mind set on making the most out of this experience. I grew up in New York, and went to the University of Pennsylvania for undergraduate study, so I've lived in urban settings my entire life. To come here the first day and cast my eyes upon this endless expanse of green in all directions was truly bewildering. There were swans and geese everywhere. Needless to say, you don't see many of those in most major U.S. cities.

“Everyone I've met so far has been rather welcoming, and I can truly say that I couldn't have asked for a better introduction. I love my department, and can't wait to get more involved in the everyday happenings of the University. I'm interested in starting a poetry performance group here, and can't wait to see what the response looks like from folks as the ball begins to get rolling.”

Warwick’s Vice Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift said: “I am pleased to welcome the Warwick Marshall scholar for 2010-11 to the University. I hope Joshua thoroughly enjoys his time here and we are delighted to have him as part of the Warwick community.”