Honoring the late newspaperwoman and writer Rachel Rivers-Coffey, the Rachel Rivers-Coffey Distinguished Professorship in Creative Writing annually sponsors the residency of a writer of national prominence at Appalachian State University. This position rotates among various distinguished authors of all creative genres; distinguished professors teach a creative writing seminar, conduct community outreach and other off-campus activities, and are featured annually in the Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series.
Past Rivers-Coffey Distinguished Professors:
- Gerald Barrax
- Kathryn Stripling Byer
- Kelly Cherry
- Toi Derricotte
- Peter Fish
- Leanne Henion
- Susan Ludvigson
- George Ella Lyon
- David Madden
- Heather Ross Miller
- Robert Morgan
- Gurney Norman
- Nancy Huddleston Packer
- RT Smith
- Jacinda Townsend
- Bruce Weigl
- Kaya Rae Whitaker
- Matthew Wimberley
- Al Young
- Paul Zimmer