Welcoming Poet Richard Blanco, the 2016 Woodrow Wilson Fellow

Madison, Wis. (February 4, 2016) – Edgewood College is honored to host Richard Blanco, an internationally recognized poet and storyteller, as the 2016 Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow. Mr. Blanco will be on campus from February 22-25, 2016.

President Barack Obama selected Mr. Blanco in 2012 to serve as the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history, joining the ranks of such important poets as Robert Frost and Maya Angelou. Mr. Blanco’s visit provides unique classroom opportunities for students, as well as events open to Greater Madison.

“We are honored to welcome such a distinguished artist to our campus,” Dean of the School of Integrative Studies Kris Mickelson said. “Through his craft Mr. Blanco offers a window into the significance of cultural identity and how it speaks to some of the most significant social issues of our time.  His work speaks to what we ask our students to consider on their college journeys - who am I, where do I fit, and how can I make an impact in the world?”

On Wednesday, Feb. 24, Mr. Blanco presents ‘Teaching Poetry Like a Poet.’ The workshop, open to educators of all grade levels and all subjects, examines how a poem’s images and sensory details truly work to impart meaning and evoke emotion responses. RSVP required. Contact Carol at cgriskavich@edgewood.edu or 608-663-2889, for additional details and to RSVP.

On Thursday Feb. 25, Mr. Blanco presents a Poetry Reading, examining cultural identity and the essence of place and belonging. The public is invited to the event, which begins at 6:30 pm in the Washburn Heritage Room.  

The Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program, which is administered by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) in Washington, D.C., brings prominent artists, diplomats, journalists, business leaders, and other professionals to campuses across the United States for a week-long residential program of classes, seminars, workshops, lectures, and informal discussions. For over 35 years, Visiting Fellows have been introducing students and faculty members at liberal arts colleges to a wide range of perspectives on life, society, community, and achievement. The Visiting Fellows program is available to all four-year colleges and universities. For more information, visit CIC’s website at www.cic.edu/visitingfellows.

About the Council of Independent Colleges

The Council of Independent Colleges is an association of approximately 630 nonprofit independent colleges and universities and 90 higher education organizations that has worked since 1956 to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of private higher education’s contributions to society. CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities as well as conferences, seminars, and other programs that help institutions to improve the quality of education, administrative and financial performance, and institutional visibility. CIC also provides support to state fundraising associations that organize programs and generate contributions for private colleges and universities. CIC is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.cic.edu. 

(Photo: Alissa Morris)

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