Distinguished Professor Emeritus Sam Hazo Honored at Common Wealth Awards

Hosted by The PNC Financial Services Group, the Common Wealth Awards are bestowed to individuals who have enriched modern culture through their professional and personal endeavors. Hazo, who taught at Duquesne University for 43 years, has published 50 books of poetry, fiction, drama, essays and various works of translation.

“Sam Hazo is an iconic figure at Duquesne, based upon his teaching and mentoring of generations of students, but he is also a national treasure. It is fitting, and a source of great pride to the University, that he is being recognized with this prestigious Common Wealth Award,” said Duquesne University President Ken Gormley. “It has been reserved for some of the most prominent figures in the arts and humanities, among others, who have contributed to the betterment of society and the world. Sam continues to bring honor to this University that is proud to call him Distinguished Professor Emeritus and the embodiment of the richest attributes and distinctive mission of Duquesne University.”

Hazo served as Pennsylvania’s Poet Laureate from 1993-2003 and has received numerous literary awards, including The Griffin Award from Creative Writing from the University of Notre Dame; the Maurice English Award for Poetry; and the Hazlett Award for Excellence in Literature. Twice recognized as Pittsburgh’s Man of the Year in Arts, Hazo has been awarded 12 honorary degrees, an honorary membership in Phi Beta Kappa and the Forbes Medal for Outstanding Cultural Contributions to Western Pennsylvania. 

In addition, Hazo founded the International Poetry Forum, which drew more than 800 of the world’s most acclaimed poets and performers, including W.H. Auden, Mary Oliver, May Swenson, Kurt Vonnegut, Terrance Hayes, Anthony Hopkins, Gregory Peck, James Earl Jones, Princess Grace of Monaco and Tennessee Williams.

“In professions spanning news and sports broadcasting to literary arts, the 2024 Common Wealth Award recipients represent a diverse range of accomplishments that place them among the elite in their professions,” said Joseph G. Meterchick, PNC regional president for Philadelphia, Delaware and Southern New Jersey. “We applaud this year’s honorees for their singular commitment to excellence and generous spirit that demonstrates the best of who we are.”

The Common Wealth Awards of Distinguished Service were first presented in 1979 by The Common Wealth Trust, which was created under the will of Ralph Hayes, an influential business executive and philanthropist. The awards are made by The Common Wealth Trust. In the 44-year history of the Common Wealth Awards, more than $7 million has been awarded to 215 honorees.

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly 8,000 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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