LSU English Professor Maurice Carlos Ruffin Awarded a 2026 Guggenheim Fellowship

4/23/26

 

Maurice Carlos Ruffin, associate professor of creative writing in the LSU Department of English, has been awarded a 2026 Guggenheim Fellowship in Fiction, joining the Guggenheim Foundation’s 101st class of distinguished artists, scholars, and scientists. Ruffin is one of just 10 fiction writers nationwide to receive the honor this year, underscoring the caliber of creative and scholarly work taking place within the LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

 

Ruffin’s fellowship will support his forthcoming book-length literary project, Liar’s Bouquet, a contemporary satire set in New Orleans. The novel follows a family of activists who suddenly discover they may have been on the wrong side of a hidden conflict all along. At its center is Abel Caines, a loving husband and father of three, who must decide how to protect his loved ones while standing up for the ideals that have long guided him. A fast-paced tale that could only take place in modern times, the work explores important questions about freedom, loyalty, and the American Dream.

 

“I’m deeply honored to be part of the Guggenheim Foundation’s 101st cohort and to be recognized alongside such extraordinary writers,” Ruffin said. “This project asks difficult questions about belief, responsibility, and the stories we tell ourselves about justice. The fellowship gives me the time and support to pursue those questions with the depth they deserve.”

 

The Guggenheim Fellowship is among the most prestigious awards available to artists and scholars, supporting individuals who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or creative ability. Ruffin’s selection reflects both his individual achievement and the broader intellectual environment at LSU that fosters ambitious, groundbreaking work.

 

“This recognition speaks to the remarkable excellence of our faculty and the vibrant intellectual community we have built,” said Michael Pasquier, interim dean of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. “Professor Ruffin’s work exemplifies how literature can engage urgent contemporary issues while advancing the highest standards of artistic and scholarly inquiry. We are proud to see his contributions acknowledged on a national stage.”

 

Ruffin’s award comes alongside that of LSU School of Art professor Jeremiah Ariaz, who was also named a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow in Photography. Together, their honors highlight the breadth of innovation and impact across disciplines at LSU, from literary arts to visual storytelling.

 

As Ruffin continues work on Liar’s Bouquet, the fellowship reinforces LSU’s role as a leading center for research and creative excellence, where faculty are producing work that resonates far beyond the university community.

Ruffin holds an MFA from the University of New Orleans and a J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He is the author of the national bestseller The American Daughters. His acclaimed story collection, The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You, was selected for One Book One New Orleans and was longlisted for the Story Prize. His debut novel, We Cast a Shadow, was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the PEN America Open Book Prize. All three books were named New York Times Editors’ Choice selections. Ruffin is also the recipient of the Iowa Review Award in fiction and the Louisiana Writer Award.

 

About the Guggenheim Fellowship
Established in 1925, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation awards fellowships to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or outstanding creative ability in the arts. Each year, Guggenheim Fellows are selected through a rigorous peer-review process from a broad pool of applicants working across dozens of disciplines. The fellowship provides recipients with the time and flexibility to pursue independent work at the highest level under the freest possible conditions. Alumni of the program include many of the most influential artists, writers, scientists, and scholars of the past century.