2008 Woodie Awards
Professor Makes "Writers Series' Possible
Kristin Beason: Muleskinner
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Features
Thanks to the UCM Visiting Writers Series, critically acclaimed authors and poets will be visiting UCM within the next few months.The UCM Honors College and Pleiades Magazine sponsor the Visiting Writers Series every year.
"This series brings nationally recognized authors to the campus," said Kevin Prufer, English and philosophy professor. "It's good for the campus. They are some of the most respected authors in the nation."
The process of bringing these authors to campus starts in the previous year, when faculty members meet to discuss possible authors. They read new books and make a list of the most exciting authors.
"Sometimes, it can be hard to get an author to come," Prufer said. "We try to look for authors who will appeal to the students and be easy to approach and fun-loving."
Other area universities sometimes help with expenses to bring authors to UCM. Central Missouri shared expenses with the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Northwest Missouri State University to bring author Eric Pankey to the series. His visit to UCM is a part of his campus book tour, and he will visit the other campuses while he is in Missouri.
"[The series] gives students the opportunity to see literature as it is today," said Cheryl Eason, chair of the department of English and philosophy. "It is good for them to hear the voice of the writer and see them as people. It makes it more meaningful and present."
Poet Forrest Hamer began the Visiting Writers Series Jan. 29. He is the author of "Rift" and "Call & Response," which received the Beatrice Hawley Award. He also wrote "Middle Ear," which received the Northern California Book Award.
"[Hamer's reading] was well-attended, and I really enjoyed it," Eason said. "Mr. Hamer has such a soothing voice. I just wanted to melt in my chair."
The next event in the series will be March 19, when winners and runners-up for the David Baker Writing Awards will read their poetry and fiction pieces. The readings will take place in the Art Center Gallery from 3-4:15 p.m. David Baker funds the prize and is a UCM alumnus. As well as a critically acclaimed poet and editor.
"This series brings nationally recognized authors to the campus," said Kevin Prufer, English and philosophy professor. "It's good for the campus. They are some of the most respected authors in the nation."
The process of bringing these authors to campus starts in the previous year, when faculty members meet to discuss possible authors. They read new books and make a list of the most exciting authors.
"Sometimes, it can be hard to get an author to come," Prufer said. "We try to look for authors who will appeal to the students and be easy to approach and fun-loving."
Other area universities sometimes help with expenses to bring authors to UCM. Central Missouri shared expenses with the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Northwest Missouri State University to bring author Eric Pankey to the series. His visit to UCM is a part of his campus book tour, and he will visit the other campuses while he is in Missouri.
"[The series] gives students the opportunity to see literature as it is today," said Cheryl Eason, chair of the department of English and philosophy. "It is good for them to hear the voice of the writer and see them as people. It makes it more meaningful and present."
Poet Forrest Hamer began the Visiting Writers Series Jan. 29. He is the author of "Rift" and "Call & Response," which received the Beatrice Hawley Award. He also wrote "Middle Ear," which received the Northern California Book Award.
"[Hamer's reading] was well-attended, and I really enjoyed it," Eason said. "Mr. Hamer has such a soothing voice. I just wanted to melt in my chair."
The next event in the series will be March 19, when winners and runners-up for the David Baker Writing Awards will read their poetry and fiction pieces. The readings will take place in the Art Center Gallery from 3-4:15 p.m. David Baker funds the prize and is a UCM alumnus. As well as a critically acclaimed poet and editor.
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