Locally renowned writer William Robertson of Duke Center was awarded with the Mansfield University President’s Coin for Excellence in recognition for his lifetime achievement in writing.

He was given the award by Scott DiMarco, library director of Mansfield University, who said he “couldn’t have awarded a more deserving writer than Robertson.”

Robertson is a former student of Mansfield University, majoring in English and graduating in 1972.

“While there I was fortunate enough to study under Professor Joe David Bellamy, who is a great writer himself,” Robertson said. “I carry his teachings with me in my writing to this day.”

Robertson’s body of work boasts 38 published books in the poetry, historical fiction and short story genres that have been republished in 10 different countries.

Robertson has teamed up with David Rimer, retired english teacher at the Bradford Area High School, when needing help with historical research for his books.

“I wouldn’t have been as successful as I’ve been without Rimer,” Robertson said.

Most of Robertson’s work is set in local areas, including his book “The Battling Bucktails at Fredericksburg,” a 10-issue historical fiction series about a local military regiment set during the Civil War.

He has also contributed to The Bradford Era’s “Round the Square” column with poetry and short stories.

Robertson is currently working on a book titled “Icicles,” a collection of chilling and scary poems and photos, which include local legends about haunted houses and similar topics.

The Coin of Excellence will be another addition to Robertson’s collection of awards that he’s received throughout his career, including first prize in the Realities Libraries Contest and second prize in the Writer’s Place Poetry Contest that is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.