5/3/24

By Linda McHenry

HAYS, Kan. – April was National Poetry Month and, after a competitive search, FHSU is happy to announce that Eileen Veatch is the next FHSU Poet Laureate (beginning fall 2024). She is an English major with a concentration in literature. Veatch works as a tier-one technician at United School District 489 and a dance teacher at Spotlight Studio (in Hays). Veatch, who won second place in the 2024 Hays Public Library poetry contest, said she looks forward to her time as the FHSU Poet Laureate.

“To me, being the next FHSU Poet Laureate is giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to spread not only my love for but information about poetry,” Veatch said. “Poetry is such a fascinating way to connect with others as well as your own emotions, and I can’t wait to see how I grow from this position.”

The current FHSU Poet Laureate, Liam Brown, graduates this spring with an English degree. Brown will be awarded a $500 stipend from the English department during the Honors College Program at 5:30 pm on May 9 for his successful term as FHSU Poet Laureate this academic year. Among his achievements as poet laureate, Brown hosted two blackout poetry nights and an open-mic night. Brown recently won a poetry award from Hays Public Library. He wrote many new poems and submitted his works to Ploughshares, Thrush, and Euonia. 

FHSU Poet Laureate was created during the pandemic by Linda McHenry and Linda Smith. Each poet laureate was selected based on written materials chosen by the committee and then interviewed by the committee. The committee includes Mr. Morgan Chalfant, Ms. Linda McHenry, Dr. Lanee Young, and Mr. Thomas Horne.

About the FHSU Poet Laureate:

FHSU’s Poet Laureate promotes understanding and appreciation for poetry and its place in our lives. The chosen poet will, in consultation with the FHSU Poetry Mentor and Engagement Mentor, develop an outreach plan to share poetry in real-time with other students, the university community, and regional citizens during a two-semester program of activities that may include public readings, community or campus events, and publishing opportunities.

From the FHSU Poet Laureate Website: https://www.fhsu.edu/english/fhsu-poet-laureate