September 9, 2019

Michigan author wins SVSU literature award

Saginaw Valley State University has awarded the 2019-20 Stuart D. and Vernice M. Gross Award for Literature to author Anna Clark for her book, "The Poisoned City: Flint's Water Crisis and the American Urban Tragedy." The award is part of SVSU’s community-minded commitment to recognize exceptional writing within Michigan.

Clark will visit SVSU in the early months of 2020, when she will accept the award as well as visit classes on campus. She will also receive a $1,000 prize.

Clark graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in art history and creative writing and literature. She also graduated from Warren Wilson College's MFA Program for Writers and has published articles in The New York Times, Elle, and the Columbia Journalism Review.

Her book on the Flint water crisis has been described as "an exceptional work of journalism" by The San Francisco Chronicle and "a thorough, nuanced account . . . [that] weaves together history, science and rigorous reporting to tell Flint's story" by Science News magazine.

A website for "The Poisoned City" — including links for purchasing the book — is available at https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250125149.

Established by the late Stuart D. Gross and his wife, Vernice, the Gross Award for Literature is administered by SVSU. It is granted to published works in regional history or historical fiction/drama. Preference is given to Michigan subject matter or strong Michigan connections on the part of the author.

Winners are selected by a panel of judges from SVSU's faculty and staff. Judges this year were Matthew Buckley, research and collection development librarian; M. Patricia Cavanaugh, professor of English; Jules Gehrke, associate professor of history; Carlos Ramet, associate dean of the College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences; and Michelle Strasz, research & online course support librarian.

Employed for many years as a journalist with The Saginaw News, Gross joined the SVSU staff in the school's early years and served in a variety of public affairs roles. He was recognized as a regional historian and published several books. Among his writings are, "Saginaw: A History of the Land and City," "When Timber was King," and "Where There is a Will." Following his retirement from SVSU, Gross wrote and produced a play, "Let's Have Lunch Sometime." He died in 1996; Mrs. Gross, in 2001.