In honor of Denison's late poet-in-residence, Paul Bennett, and as part of the year-long First-Year Program celebration and consideration of home and community-building, Denison University presents a reading of poetry during the Common Hour, 11:30 a.m., on Thursday (Oct. 13) in the Barney Board Room. This reading will feature several Denison faculty members, as well as members of the administrative staff, reading poems that explore our experiences of home and connection. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Additionally, this event will serve as a benefit event to contribute to the relief effort following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Ann Townsend, department of English faculty member and director of creative writing, organized the event to draw attention to a pressing need of those still living in shelters in Louisiana and Texas. While shelters are adequately supplied with food, clothing, and other basics, shelter coordinators are requesting reading materials to ease the stress of evacuees who are unable to return to their homes. This reading is the kickoff event for a book drive; donated books will go to shelters and relief centers in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. You are invited to bring books in good condition to donate; donation boxes will be stationed in the Barney Board Room and the English Department office.

At the center of this event is a reading from the poem "Built by Rasp and Bicycle." Written by Paul Bennett to commemorate the completion of his own house, one he and wife Jeanne built by hand over the course of one year, the poem celebrates home and connection.

This event is part of a series, "Built by Rasp and Bicycle," a year-long consideration of how we make our homes, and how they make us. The series is a college-wide collaboration and is sponsored by the McGregor Fund, the John W. Alford Center for Service Learning, the Laura C. Harris Fund, the Lilly Endowment, the Goodspeed Lecture Fund, the Office of the President, the Ronnenburg Fund and the Offices of Student Affairs and First-Year Programs.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Poetry reading celebrating home and community; 11:30 a.m., Thursday (Oct. 13), Barney Davis Board Room (200 West Loop). Free and open to the public. Book drive that kicks off at reading will benefit shelters and relief centers in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575