- 2018- Vijay Seshadri
- 2017- Marilyn Hacker
- 2016- Robert Pinsky
- 2015- Yusef Komunyakaa
- 2014- Li-Young Lee
- 2013- Naomi Shihab Nye
- 2012- Martín Espada
- 2011- C.K. Williams
- 2010- Mark Doty
- 2009- X.J. Kennedy
- 2008- Alicia Ostriker
- 2007- David Wagoner
- 2006- Molly Peacock
- 2005- Nikki Giovanni
- 2004- Marvin Bell
- 2003- Samuel Menashe
- 2002- Gary Soto
- 2001- Billy Collins
- 2000- Marge Piercy
- 1999- Yevgeny Yevtushenko
- 1998- Mark Rudman
- 1997- Galway Kinnell
- 1996- Diane Wakoski
- 1995- Joseph Bruchac
- 1994- Robert Bly
- 1993- Adrienne Rich
- 1992- Sharon Olds
- 1991- Allen Ginsberg
- 1990- William Stafford
- 1989- Stanley Kunitz
- 1988- June Jordan
- 1987- David Ignatow
- 1986- Galway Kinnell
- 1985- W. D. Snodgrass
- 1984- John Ciardi
- 1983- Louis Simpson
- 1982- Allen Planz
- 1981- William Heyen