2008 Woodie Awards
Poetry reading touches students
By: Julie Sweetman
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Sean Thomas Dougherty bore his soul through poetry Wednesday night in the Charles V. Park Library Baber room.
In front of a crowd of about 30 students and faculty members, Dougherty read various pieces about love, friends who have died, his heritage and the neighborhood he grew up in.
"He really brought everything he did to life," said Adrian sophomore Aimee Lewis. "For me, as a writer, he was very inspirational, and moving, as well as fun."
Dougherty is the author of five books and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for his book of poetry, "Except for Falling."
He has performed at many poetry readings across the country.
Jesse Koenig, English language and literature graduate assistant, said Dougherty brought forward much of his personal life in his poetry.
"He would talk about going on the road, his African American history, his love life and just his adventure through life," she said. "It is very powerful, and really brings his poetry to life."
Koenig said she was able to relate with Dougherty's poetry.
"One of my favorite poems is the one where he talks about his grandfather dying, it really touched home for me," Koenig said. "I felt like I could really relate to everything that he was saying."
Dougherty visited classrooms and met with students earlier Wednesday.
"The students I got to meet were so excellent," Dougherty said. "Which could be due to the fact you guys just won the Western game, so I have heard, but yeah, Central is pretty cool in my book."
Dougherty said he chose the poems he would perform based on his meetings with students. He said he was able to get a perspective on what kind of poems students would like to hear.
Before he began reading, the crowd surprised him by singing happy birthday.
"I was sort of sad that nobody brought me a birthday gift, but at least I got cake" Dougherty said.
After the poetry reading attendees got a chance to ask questions and meet with the poet while digging into the birthday cake.
Before he came to campus, Dougherty said his goal was to touch people and make sure they took something home with them in their hearts.
"If his goal was to have his words be so powerful that they just touch the people they read, then the goal is achieved," Koenig said.
news@cm-life.com
In front of a crowd of about 30 students and faculty members, Dougherty read various pieces about love, friends who have died, his heritage and the neighborhood he grew up in.
"He really brought everything he did to life," said Adrian sophomore Aimee Lewis. "For me, as a writer, he was very inspirational, and moving, as well as fun."
Dougherty is the author of five books and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for his book of poetry, "Except for Falling."
He has performed at many poetry readings across the country.
Jesse Koenig, English language and literature graduate assistant, said Dougherty brought forward much of his personal life in his poetry.
"He would talk about going on the road, his African American history, his love life and just his adventure through life," she said. "It is very powerful, and really brings his poetry to life."
Koenig said she was able to relate with Dougherty's poetry.
"One of my favorite poems is the one where he talks about his grandfather dying, it really touched home for me," Koenig said. "I felt like I could really relate to everything that he was saying."
Dougherty visited classrooms and met with students earlier Wednesday.
"The students I got to meet were so excellent," Dougherty said. "Which could be due to the fact you guys just won the Western game, so I have heard, but yeah, Central is pretty cool in my book."
Dougherty said he chose the poems he would perform based on his meetings with students. He said he was able to get a perspective on what kind of poems students would like to hear.
Before he began reading, the crowd surprised him by singing happy birthday.
"I was sort of sad that nobody brought me a birthday gift, but at least I got cake" Dougherty said.
After the poetry reading attendees got a chance to ask questions and meet with the poet while digging into the birthday cake.
Before he came to campus, Dougherty said his goal was to touch people and make sure they took something home with them in their hearts.
"If his goal was to have his words be so powerful that they just touch the people they read, then the goal is achieved," Koenig said.
news@cm-life.com
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