Prior to 2019-2020
Noah Davis wins the 2019 (Emerging) Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize
June 13, 2019 - Laurie Hollinger
Noah Davis wins the 2019 (Emerging) Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize
Founder Anita Skeen featured in MSU Today
February 12, 2019 - Founder Anita Skeen featured in MSU Today
Anita Skeen’s fascinating journey from Appalachia to East Lansing, and her campaign to start our Center for Poetry.
2018 Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize (Emerging) Winner Selected
June 12, 2018
Congratulations are in order for Kristin Brace, the latest winner of the Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize.
“Poetic Justice” is in (and on!) the Air
February 13, 2018
The Center for Poetry has ventured even further to reach audiences of poetry through its new podcast “Poetic Justice.”
Adventures in Linocut Printing
February 5, 2018 - Alexis Stark
The Center for Poetry interns celebrated the end of 2017 learning a new form of art: linocuts!
Center For Poetry Brings Color to Campus
September 21, 2017 - Alexis Stark
This past week, the Center for Poetry took its love for the written and rhythmic word to the sidewalks of MSU’s campus for Walk, Chalk, Poetry.
AWP 2017: It Takes a Village
February 21, 2017
This February was the RCAH Center for Poetry at MSU’s first excursion to the Associated Writing Programs Conference (AWP) in Washington, D.C.
RCAH Center for Poetry, Lansing Poetry Club, LEAP seek Lansing Poet Laureate
January 24, 2017
This spring, the RCAH Center for Poetry, in collaboration with the Lansing Poetry Club and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), will appoint the first Lansing Poet Laureate.
Making up for lost time: Postcards from the Voyage of Robin Coste Lewis
May 18, 2016 - Laurie Hollinger
On April 27, the Center for Poetry hosted a visit by Robin Coste Lewis, author of the 2015 National Book Award for Poetry winning Voyage of the Sable Venus.
2016 Haiku Hike at MSU Science Festival
May 9, 2016
On Sunday, April 17, the Center for Poetry took part in the 2016 MSU Science Festival, a 12-day annual event that takes place not only on campus, but at various locations in the East Lansing region, and also in greater Detroit.
RCAH Center for Poetry, Lansing Poetry Club making the bid for Michigan Poet Laureate
April 17, 2016 - Kelsey Block
On Thursday, March 31, the Historical Society of Greater Lansing hosted “Michigan, My Michigan,” a celebration honoring the contributions of the Lansing Poetry Club.
Renowned Translator and nye musician bring new perspectives to annual Translation Conversation
March 2, 2016 - Kelsey Block
On Monday, February 22, Director of Arabic studies at DePaul University Nesreen Akhtarkhavari visited the RCAH Center for Poetry to join in the Translation Conversation.
Frogpond associate editor, Center for Poetry to start haiku study group
January 27, 2016 - Kelsey Block
Starting in February, the Center for Poetry is partnering with East Lansing haiku poet Michele Root-Bernstein to create a haiku study group.
Father and son duo Marvin and Nathan Bell visit Center for Poetry
November 30, 2015 - Kelsey Block
Poet Marvin Bell and songwriter Nathan Bell joined the RCAH Center for Poetry on November 11 as guests in our annual Fall Writing Series.
Folklorists visit Center for Poetry as part of Fall Writing Festival
November 5, 2015 - Kelsey Block
Folklorists Michael and Carrie Nobel Kline joined the RCAH Center for Poetry as part of the annual Fall Writing Series.
Lansing poet kicks off Fall Writing Series
October 28, 2015 - Kelsey Block
Lansing poet Cindy Hunter Morgan joined the RCAH Center for Poetry last week as the first guest in the annual Fall Writing Series. Hunter Morgan’s visit was co-sponsored with MSU’s Our Daily Work, Our Daily Lives series.
An interview with Leila Chatti, poet and former RCAH student
October 19, 2015
Poet and RCAH graduate Leila Chatti’s poem, “What Do Arabs Think of Ghosts” was recently selected by Tracy K. Smith to appear in the annual anthology, Best New Poets. RCAH Center for Poetry intern Kelsey Block interviewed Chatti, who now lives in France, via email about the upcoming anthology:
Renowned poet, activist, and MSU alumna Carolyn Forché returns to campus
May 8, 2015 - Kelsey Block
The Residential College in the Arts and Humanities Center for Poetry was proud to welcome Michigan State University alumna and poet Carolyn Forché to campus on April 22 and 23.
2015 Balocating Prize for Poetry: “Memorial Day” by Connor Yeck
April 29, 2015
Congratulations to Connor Yeck, a Senior in English and the winner of the 2015 Annie Balocating Undergraduate Prize for Poetry!
RCAH Center for Poetry Hosts Conference for Educators and Writers
April 13, 2015 - Kelsey Block
On March 28, 2015, the RCAH Center for Poetry hosted its first-ever conference, titled: “Exploring Our Own Amazement: Learning the Language of Poetry.”
Spring Poetry Series opens with Michigan poet, teacher Dennis Hinrichsen
April 9, 2015 - Kelsey Block
“You’re always in the process of becoming a poet. You keep going on and striving to become that thing,” 62-year-old local writer Dennis Hinrichsen said.
Center for Poetry celebrates women’s history with Robin Silbergleid reading
March 30, 2015 - Kelsey Block
The RCAH Center for Poetry and the MSU English Department celebrated Women’s History Month with a reading and workshop by Robin Silbergleid, associate professor of English and director of creative writing at MSU.
Grand Rapids poet joins Center for Poetry for writing workshop
February 24, 2015 - Kelsey Block
“Even if there was a tornado outside, nothing could keep me from sharing the work of Lisel Mueller.”
Center for Poetry Director Anita Skeen honored with William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award
February 9, 2015 - Kelsey Block
A smiling face beneath a rabbit-eared winter hat greets those who are curious enough to wander down to the office of Anita Skeen – animal lover, sports enthusiast, scholar, teacher, mentor and poet.
MSU Composition project “Voicing Poetry” featured on local NPR
February 9, 2015
Philip Rice (center) and Cindy Hunter Morgan (right), with Current State host Mark Bashore Credit Scott Pohl/WKAR
Benvenuto winners visit Center for Poetry
December 6, 2014 - Kelsey Block
On Wednesday, November 19, six Michigan high school students were recognized as winners of the Benvenuto High School Poetry Competition. The announcement was celebrated in conjunction with a reading by the last guest of the Fall 2014 Writing Series, Jim Minick.
2014 Fall Writing Series wraps up with nonfiction writer
November 25, 2014 - Kelsey Block
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, the Center for Poetry welcomed nonfiction writer Jim Minick as the last guest in the Fall Writing Series.
Canadian poet grants Center for Poetry endowment
November 6, 2014 - Kelsey Block
Last week, the RCAH Center for Poetry was proud to host Canadian-born poet George Ellenbogen. Ellenbogen celebrated a $50,000 endowment established in his name along with his late partner, Evelyn Shakir, and Center for Poetry director Anita Skeen.
Storyteller weaves tales at Poetry Center
October 27, 2014 - Kelsey Block
Michigan storyteller, musician and educator Robin Nott visited the RCAH Center for Poetry last week as the first guest of the 2014 Fall Writing Series.
Memoirist Jane Congdon in conversation with RCAH community
September 22, 2014 - Kelsey Block
“It’s a shared experience,” Memoirist Jane Congdon mentioned during her visit to the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities last week. “I’ve been a visiting writer before, but I’ve never been an artist in conversation.”
Virginia poet laureate visits RCAH
April 25, 2014 - Kelsey Block
“What I like most is following the words, following their sounds. A poem for me always starts as a phrase, a couple of words I hear together that just intrigue me,” Sofia Starnes, the poet laureate of Virginia, said.
Center for Poetry intern wins poetry prize
April 17, 2014 - Kelsey Block
Visiting writer Sofia Starnes, the poet laureate of Virginia, announced at her reading last night that RCAH Center for Poetry intern Jenny Crakes won this year’s Annie Balocating Poetry Prize.
Detroit Poet Jamaal May visits East Lansing
April 3, 2014
Last week, the RCAH Center for Poetry in collaboration with the MSU English Department was proud to host a reading by Detroit poet Jamaal May.
Poetry Center director Anita Skeen and former RCAH professor Laura DeLind publish collaborative book
March 20, 2014 - Kelsey Block
The Unauthorized Audubon, a collection of poetry and prints by Poetry Center Director Anita Skeen and Anthropology Professor Laura DeLind, was recently published by the MSU Press. The RCAH Center for Poetry hosted a reading on February 19 to celebrate the occasion, in which the creators read and signed their book.
Festival Of Listening
March 16, 2014 - Kelsey Block
The RCAH Center for Poetry was proud to put on the 2014 Festival of Listening.
Local writer nominated for literary prize
February 20, 2014 - Kelsey Block
A retired local art teacher was recently nominated for an international literary prize. Dorothy Brooks, longtime Poetry Center participant, has recently been nominated for a Pushcart Prize for her piece that appeared in Hippocampus Magazine.
An Afternoon with Diane Wakoski
February 4, 2014 - Kelsey Block
The RCAH Center for Poetry is proud to announce that tomorrow night, Wednesday February 5, poet Diane Wakoski will be joining us to read from her new book, Bay of Angels, in the RCAH theater at 7 p.m.
In Person with: Ann Pancake
December 12, 2013 - Kelsey Block
“When I first start a piece, as a first draft, I usually start it because I have a voice in my head,” Ann Pancake, 50 said. “It’s like a rhythm; it’s so transcendent.”
Looking Foward: Poets Laureate and The Spring Poetry Series
November 21, 2013 - Laurie Hollinger
The RCAH Center for Poetry will be celebrating Poets Laureate in Spring 2014, with a visit by United States Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey on April 2, and Virginia Poet Laureate Sofia Starnes on April 16.
River of Words Poetry Workshop at Lansing STEM Academy
November 19, 2013 - Kelsey Block and Jenny Crakes
On November 8, the RCAH Center for Poetry was proud to sponsor a poetry workshop led by intern Jenny Crakes at Lansing’s STEM Academy. Approximately ten students in grades 6-8 worked with Jenny, Kelsey, MSU Writing Center outreach coordinator Ashley Gulker, and mentor and volunteer Mrs. Karen Duquette, to create poems themed on environmental issues for the River of Words poetry and art competition.
Documenting Barbara Presnell
November 18, 2013 - Kelsey Block
Last week, the RCAH Center for Poetry was delighted to welcome North Carolina native Barbara Presnell to East Lansing. During her brief visit, Presnell conducted a workshop on documentary poetry and gave readings of her work.
In Person with Carolyn Gage
November 12, 2013 - Kelsey Block
The RCAH Center for Poetry was pleased to welcome Lesbian Feminist Playwright Carolyn Gage to East Lansing last week. During her visit, Gage visited several classes, conducted her workshop, “Interrupting Racism,” and gave performances of her work.
RCAH Center for Poetry Intern Jenny Crakes Visits Lansing STEM Academy
October 31, 2013
Center for Poetry intern Jenny Crakes visited the Lansing STEM Academy on Tuesday, Oct. 29, to conduct a poetry writing workshop for the students there. Here is her account.
In Person With George Ellenbogen
October 22, 2013 - Kelsey Block
The RCAH Center for Poetry welcomed Canadian Poet and Memoirist George Ellenbogen to East Lansing last week.