The Denison University Beck Lecture Series welcomes poet Mary Szybist, whose first collection of poetry, "Granted," led her to be named as a finalist for the 2003 National Book Critics Circle Award. Szybist will speak at 8 p.m. on Thursday (April 14) in the Board Room of Barney Davis Hall (200 West Loop Road on the Denison Campus). The lecture is free and open to the public.

Filled with natural, Biblical, and classical imagery, Szybist's work explores the difficulties posed by faith and love. Her poetry is enriched through images of nature as well as Biblical references. Her work was recognized with the Academy of American Poets Prize, the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writing Award, and Beatrice Hawley Award. She also is the Great Lakes Colleges Association's 35th Annual New Writers Award winner.

A native of Williamsport, Pa., Szybist earned degrees at the University of Virginia and the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. Her work has been published in such journals as theDenver Quarterlyand theColorado Review. Currently a visiting assistant professor of English at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., she has also taught at Kenyon College, the University of Iowa, the Tennessee Governor's School for Humanities, and the University of Virginia's Young Writers' Workshop, and West High School in Iowa City.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The Beck Lecture Series presents Mary Szybist, poet, at 8 p.m., Thursday (April 14), Board Room of Barney Davis Hall (200 West Loop Road, Denison University campus). Free and open to the public. Contact (740) 587-6207 to confirm information.

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

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Director, Media Relations

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stambaughb@denison.edu

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(740) 587-8575