Boyer Rickel may use money to take time off, concentrate on writing

Boyer Rickel finally achieved one of his dreams when he was awarded a $20,000 poetry fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.

"I have applied before, so it was thrilling to be accepted," said Rickel, a UA creative writing professor and undergraduate adviser. "My reaction was total amazement and a great deal of excitement."

Though Rickel said he would like to buy time off from some of his administrative work - he is also assistant director of the creative writing program - he has not yet decided exactly how he will use the money.

"Maybe I'll have it worked out by summer," Rickel said. "Most people take time off to concentrate on their writing."