Carnegie Mellon University Press (CMUP) is proud to announce the establishment of the Tayur Endowed Poetry Fund, made possible through the generosity of Sridhar R. Tayur, Ford Distinguished Research Chair and University Professor of Operations Management at the Tepper School of Business. This announcement coincides with the announcement of a special reading by Rita Dove — past CMUP author, Pulitzer Prize winner, and US Poet Laureate — through the Pittsburgh-based International Poetry Forum where Tayur serves as a member of the board of directors.
The Tayur Endowed Poetry Fund will support two annual prizes recognizing exceptional emerging poets: the Tayur Poetry Prize, which will honor an outstanding book of poetry by an emerging poet selected for publication by CMUP, and the Oakland Review Poetry Prize, awarded for an exemplary poem published in CMU’s student-run literary magazine The Oakland Review.
Tayur’s gift reflects his ongoing commitment to advancing excellence and creativity across disciplines. “To recognize an emerging voice is to invest in the future of imagination,” he said. “This fund supports the creative essence of Carnegie Mellon University — where the interplay of art and technology, emotion and reason, continues to create something larger than either alone.” Known for his philanthropy in fields ranging from quantum technologies to documentary filmmaking, he has long championed early recognition of world-class talent while also engaging and nurturing students — a principle that resonates deeply with the Press’ legacy of publishing emerging voices in contemporary literature.
“Drawing from Pittsburgh's legacy of innovation and reinvention, the Press is committed to building bridges between established literary traditions and bold new voices. This generous gift will allow us to double down on that commitment by celebrating our most talented emerging poets on an annual basis,” says Associate Dean for Academic Engagement Nicky Agate, editorial director of the Press.
Founded in 1972 by Gerald Costanzo as Three Rivers Press, Carnegie Mellon University Press went on to publish early works by Pulitzer and National Book Award winning writers, including Dove, Ted Kooser, and Denis Johnson. Now operating under the leadership of Helen and Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries Keith Webster, the Press continues to expand its reach in print and digital publishing while engaging CMU students and the wider literary community.
Through the Tayur Endowed Poetry Fund, Tayur’s gifts will help sustain that legacy, ensuring that Carnegie Mellon remains a home for poets, poetry readers, and scholars for generations to come.