The transformation of the Wick Poetry Program into the Wick Poetry Center has expanded our reach across Kent State University while maintaining our roots in the Department of English. It has brought a wealth of new opportunities to our many audiences: undergraduate and graduate students, emerging poets, established and prize-winner poets, and the literary community that begins at Kent State and extends locally, regionally, and nationally.

The 2004 Wick Poetry 20th anniversary reunion was the perfect event for our launch as a Center. For one wonderful weekend, our benefactors, current faculty, administrators, students and alumni, prize-winners, judges and guests came together and provided a memorable snapshot of where we have been. This gathering also gave us an exciting glimpse of our future, as Robert and Walter Wick and their families announced a $2 million gift to endow the Center.

As we enter 2007, we look forward to expanding the Poetry Series and Outreach Programs and to publishing additional books with The Kent State University Press. We plan new collaborations in support of creative writing with the NEOMFA – the consortial MFA program instituted in Spring 2005 with Cleveland State University, Kent State University, Youngstown State University, and The University of Akron.

As higher education directs itself beyond the buildings of the university and toward community outreach and lifelong learning opportunities, the Wick Poetry Center occupies a unique position, distinguishing Kent State University as an innovative, forward-looking institution in strong support of the literary arts

Maggie Anderson, Director
Wick Poetry Center