Cuttack, Jan. 17: Eminent Oriya poet Prof. Soubhagya Mishra was today appointed as the writer-in-residence of Ravenshaw University for 2011.

Several dignitaries, including eminent litterateurs, renowned bureaucrats and reputed politicians of the state who also happen to be the alumni of the department of English, attended the meeting.

Vice-chancellor of the university Devdas Chhotray, spoke about the achievements of the poet and described how the position was a fitting tribute to his contribution as a litterateur as well as a renowned teacher.

After the citation was read out, Chhotray handed Mishra a cheque of Rs 1 lakh as a token honourarium for the said position.

An alumni lecture followed the ceremony.

The lecture was sponsored by the English Department Alumni Association and presided over by income tax commissioner Pradosh Mohanty, who is the president of the association.

Pattanaik, head of the department and convener of the association, highlighted the aims and objectives of the association and how it can help the department of English achieve its goals of strengthening the research programme, accelerating the infrastructural developments and resurrecting the rich and glorious academic and cultural heritage of the department.

The alumni association also took this opportunity to reward the meritorious and successful students of the department, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Visiting Fulbright scholar, John Cussen, also gave an illuminating lecture on the fiction work of author Jhumpa Lahiri.