K-State student nationally recognized for outstanding poetry

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Sources: Elizabeth Dodd, 785-532-0384, edodd@k-state.edu;
and Michael Verschelden, 785-395-2021, mjv2@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Sara Shellenberger, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Monday, March 12, 2007

K-STATE STUDENT NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING POETRY

MANHATTAN -- A student at Kansas State University has received national recognition for outstanding undergraduate poetry.

Michael Verschelden, junior in English, Fairway, has been awarded a fellowship to attend the Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets. Students are invited to attend based on their submitted manuscript, personal statement and letters of recommendation.

"I enjoy writing material derived from my own experiences and infusing them with metaphors and thematic elements," Verschelden said. "General themes of the poems are my father's seizure, my parents' experiences with cancer, art, literature, learning, love, politics, death and poetry."

The seminar will be May 31-June 21 at Bucknell University's Stadler Center for Poetry in Lewisburg, Pa.

"This fellowship allows me to continue studying under established voices in poetry and learn from the fresh explorations of fellow undergraduates from across the country," Verschelden said.

Verschelden was nominated by K-State's Jonathan Holden, university distinguished professor of English, and Elizabeth Dodd, professor of English.

"This is a real achievement for Michael," Dodd said. "His work has been singled out as some of the strongest undergraduate writing in the country and it's true -- there's a maturity and linguistic power in Michael's poetry that is breathtaking."