Joseph Bathanti is the former North Carolina Poet Laureate (2012-14) and recipient of the North Carolina Award in Literature, the state’s highest civilian honor. The author of over twenty books, Bathanti is McFarlane Family Distinguished Professor of Interdisciplinary Education at Appalachian State University and recipient of the Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award. He was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in October of 2024.