CORVALLIS, Ore. – Poet, memoirist and literary critic David Biespiel has been named poet-in-residence at Oregon State University, a new public-facing role that will highlight and celebrate the university’s contributions to the genre of poetry.

“Oregon State has a long and rich history of powerful contributions to the liberal arts in our state and nation,” said OSU Provost Ed Feser. “David’s naming as poet-in-residence, OSU’s plans for a $60 million art and education center, other College of Liberal Arts endeavors, and our celebration of OSU150 prominently showcase how we are advancing the arts and sciences at the university and in Oregon.”

A celebration of Biespiel’s new role, as well as the history of poetry at OSU, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, in the CH2M Hill Alumni Center, 725 S.W. 26th St., Corvallis. The event will begin with a reception followed by a reading, book signing and exhibit of poetry at OSU. It is free and open to the public.

As poet-in-residence, Biespiel will teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students in the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program; promote poetry in the community and beyond through poetry events; undertake special projects around National Poetry Month – celebrated each year in April – and more.

“David is a major voice in 21st century American literature,” said Larry Rodgers, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “In this new role, he will help us continue to celebrate and elevate poetry's vital place at Oregon State and build on the already substantial national reputation of creative writing at OSU.”

Biespiel will be housed in the School of Writing, Literature and Film in the College of Liberal Arts, where he has been an instructor in poetry in the creative writing program since 2001.

He is the author of 10 books of poetry and prose, including “The Education of a Young Poet,” a 2017 Best Book for Writers selection from Poets & Writers; “A Long High Whistle,” which received the 2016 Oregon Book Award for general nonfiction; and “The Book of Men and Women,” which was chosen one of the best books of the year by the Poetry Foundation and received the 2011 Oregon Book Award for poetry. “Republic Café,” a new book of poems, is due out next year.

His writings appear in The Rumpus, American Poetry Review, Slate, Partisan, New Republic, Politico, Poetry and The New York Times. He was recently named as a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s Nona Balakian award for excellence in reviewing. He is also the founder of the Portland-based Attic Institute of Arts and Letters. 

College of Liberal Arts

About the OSU College of Liberal Arts: The College of Liberal Arts encompasses seven distinct schools, as well as several interdisciplinary initiatives, that focus on humanities, social sciences, and fine and performing arts. Curriculum developed by the college’s nationally and internationally-renowned faculty prepares students to approach the complex problems of the world ethically and thoughtfully, contributing to a student's academic foundation and helping to build real-world skills for a 21st century career and a purposeful life.

Story By: 

Michelle Klampe, 541-737-0784, [email protected]

Source: 

Larry Rodgers, 541-737-4581, [email protected]

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