Cathy Smith Bowers

Cathy Smith Bowers (born 1949) is an American poet and professor. She teaches poetry in an M.F.A. program at Queens University of Charlotte. Bowers was named by Governor Bev Perdue as the sixth North Carolina Poet Laureate, 2010–2012. She has published five collections of poetry.

Biography

Early life and education Bowers was born in 1949, in the town of Lancaster, South Carolina. She went on to receive her bachelor's degree in 1972 and master's degree in 1976 (both in English) from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. In 1984, Bowers also attended the International Graduate Summer School at Exeter College at the University of Oxford. She has been an instructor at Queens since 1983.

Personal life Bowers lives in Tryon, North Carolina. Many of the major events in her life work their way into Bower's poetry, such as being estranged from her father; having a brother die of AIDS, as well as another of drug and alcohol abuse; and having her second husband commit suicide.

Awards and honors Bowers' awards and honors include: