On Feb. 3, poet D.A. Powell disproved the popular myth that poets cannot make money.

Powell received the most lucrative award in all of poetry: The Kinglsey Tufts Award, which is a $100,000 grant given out by Claremont Graduate University.

Powell said it was a “tremendous surprise” and that “it’s one of those awards you hear about, but then it goes off the radar.”

The award was created in 1992 and named for the late husband of Kate Tufts, who donated money in order to help poets continue to practice their craft without financial stress, according to CGU Admissions and Academic Support administrator Susan Hampson.

There is no constraint on the type of poetry submitted, she said, but the award is intended for poets who have created a relatively large body of work and have yet to be recognized by a larger audience.

Powell has published numerous works, and will now receive national attention as well as a generous stipend to ensure that he continues to write.

Powell initially said he is unsure what he will do with the money, but then added, “Time is an elusive property, and it seems that money can change that…so I might take a semester off [from teaching], rent a place in Tennessee, and not have to worry.”

Powell’s fourth collection, Chronic, was published by Graywolf in Feb. 2009. He is currently working on his next publication.