The Iris N. Spencer Poetry Awards were established through the generosity of Kean W. Spencer, a successful businessman and benefactor of the arts. The awards honor his mother, Iris N. Spencer, and recognize the important role of arts and letters in American life.

At present the Spencer Awards support the Donald Justice Poetry Award, the Iris N. Spencer Undergraduate Poetry Award and the Myong Cha Son Haiku Award. By creating the awards, Mr. Spencer supports the work of both emerging and established poets, just as his mother encouraged him to embrace literature, community service, and philanthropy. With an initial endowment gift of $250,000, the awards make a significant contribution to the future of poetic excellence.

The Spencer Awards are central to the mission of West Chester University 's acclaimed Poetry Center . As a national center for the study and advancement of poetry, WCU shares Mr. Spencer's vision to reach beyond the academy and create visibility for poetry among all audiences.