In a news release, Dr. Robert W. Pearigen, president of Millsaps College, said that “This is an amazing group of people, and we are excited to the opportunity to recognize their contributions to our state, and nation.” “The insight they bring to our politics, our health care system, and literature are immeasurable.” Ward is an associate professor at Tulane University. She is also a novelist and essayist. In 2011, her novel “Salvage The Bones” won a National Book Award, and in 2017, her novel “Sing, Unburied, Sing”, was awarded the award. She is the only woman to win the National Book Award twice, Millsaps notes. Ward was also awarded a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant for 2017. Ward also received a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant in 2017.