Roanoke News
Campus News & Events
Poetry Reading
The August Poetry Reading for the Roanoke Valley Campus was held on Wednesday, August 6th. During the daytime reading, Director of Tourism and Hospitality Khari Ryder (pictured) read half a dozen poems he had written with topics ranging from unrequited love to wild horses and Clydesdales. Student Tina Crowder shared several poems, including “My Ex,” in which she used words that began with the prefix “ex” nineteen times, according to a count by Campus Director Lew Bishop. This cleverly constructed poem, filled with word play, was an audience favorite and Tina was asked to repeat it. Dean of Faculty Peter Wonson read one poem he had written and then recited two Robert Frost poems, including “Mending Wall” done in an authentic Northern New England accent.
Tina returned for the evening reading for an encore of her poems from afternoon, including “My Ex.” The topics of her poems ranged from fishing in the “ghetto creek” to having faith in God. Also during the evening reading, student Todd Musick recited two poems from Edgar Allen Poe, “A Dream Within A Dream” and part of “For Annie.” Curt Alderson, copywriter in the marketing department, read several poems including a poem entitled “My Father Never Cared For Jazz.”
The campus’s poetry reading events are growing in attendance and popularity as they find a wider audience of both readers and listeners. Thanks to our emcee, Dr. Michael Campbell, professor of English, and to all who participated.
