Palen kicks off poetry reading series

Aside from his work as a journalism scholar and professor, John Palen
occasionally engages in his other passion — poetry.

Palen read poetry from his latest book, “Open Communion: New and
Selected Poems,” Tuesday in the Lake Huron Room of the Bovee University
Center.

Palen’s poetry reading was the first of a series of writers and
scholars presented by the Great Lakes Faculty Forum.

He read 25 poems from his book in addition to three others that are
“works in progress.”

“I really appreciated the opportunity to read, and it was a
wonderful audience,” Palen said.

This is Palen’s fifth published book, and he is currently working on
poems for another book.

More than 40 students and faculty attended the reading and said they
were there for extra credit.

“I think you can learn a lot from listening to others’ writings and
styles,” said Ann Arbor sophomore Holly Rhodes. “You can gain insight
for yourself.”

The Great Lakes Faculty Forum, which is funded by the English
Language and Literature department, is composed of English department
faculty members.

English professor and forum member, Eric Torgersen was happy with
the turnout.

“As I expected to, I really enjoyed the reading,” he said. “I’ve
always admired John’s work.”