Fort Hays students who enjoy poetry and writing have a new opportunity as the position of FHSU Poet Laureate is up for grabs this year with application submissions currently open until November 2nd.
The selected representative of the inaugural Poet Laureate will serve as the first official poet for Fort Hays State University, and the position is open to all FHSU undergraduates – regardless of major. The goal of this position is to promote understanding and appreciation for poetry in the local community.
This is a two-semester program beginning in January 2021, and the winner will be announced this December.
This position was started by FHSU instructors, Linda McHenry and Linda Smith.
FHSU Instructor Linda E. Smith– “The power of poetry to inform perceptions is dynamic, and what is at first an individual experience becomes a catalyst for a shared experience.”
“My colleague, Linda McHenry first mentioned the idea,” Smith said. “She had the vision that an undergraduate student, who writes poetry and is enthusiastic about the spoken word, would be an excellent candidate to share poetry with others, to spread that enthusiasm to a broader audience.”
Smith and McHenry said that while unusual, offering a poet laureate position to an undergraduate student has two primary benefits for the student.
“[the student gets] an opportunity to work with a faculty mentor (the FHSU Poet Laureate Mentor) to help hone their poetic craft and explore publishing opportunities,” Smith said. “And to serve as FHSU Poet Laureate, representing our university to others in a variety of venues, including campus activities and events designed for public schools and communities.”
FHSU Instructor & Poet Laureate Mentor, Morgan Chalfant
Whoever fills this new position will work directly with Poet Laureate Mentor, Morgan Chalfant. Chalfant is also an instructor with the English department at Fort Hays.
Smith mentions this is position will help the winner develop writing, presentation, and publishing skills while developing and participating in experiences designed to engage a broad demographic of other people. And while the position may not be paid, the benefits far surpass the monetary value.
“The benefits of this unique position are valuable beyond monetary gain,” Smith said. “And, just think of the résumé entry. How many people do you know who can write, ‘Poet Laureate’ on their résumés?”
The opportunity to be the first person to hold this unique position is another reason to apply, according to McHenry.
FHSU Instructor & Coordinator of Composition Assessment, Linda McHenry– “An effective poet laureate will voice genuinely and effectively their experiences, as well as some of their fellow classmates’ experience.”
“This first-time opportunity really gives the student room to reach beyond our university community and connect with others,” McHenry said.
The due date for applications is November 2 and the winner will be announced in December. Any FHSU undergraduate students (regardless of major) can apply for this position.
Applications for this year’s Poet Laureate can be found by following this link.
“The FHSU Poet Laureate position is both a gift to the undergraduate student and a gift to those who will learn more about poetry and be introduced to poems new and old,” Smith said.