Appalachian Cultural Center to host Kentucky Poet Laureate, Oct. 16

^{Kentucky Poet Laureate George Ella Lyon}

(October 7, 2015) — Carson-Newman University’s Appalachian Cultural Center will host Kentucky Poet Laureate George Ella Lyon for the Seventh Annual Henrietta Jenkins Memorial Homecoming Poetry Reading Friday, October 16 at 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Lyon is a 1997-98 recipient of Carson-Newman University’s Outstanding Educational Service to Appalachia Award. She has published more than 40 books for readers of all ages in a number of genres, often focusing on Appalachian themes.

“From her immense collection of poetry to her work as a teacher, George Ella Lyon’s work is a portrait of Kentucky heritage and tradition,” Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear said during an April 24 ceremony for Kentucky Writers’ Day.

Lyon has also received the ALA’s Schneider Family Book Award, a Jane Adams Honor, a Golden Kite Award, Appalachian Book of the Year and the Bluegrass Award. She has taught writing at several schools and spoken at hundreds of schools, libraries and conferences across the country.

Mary Patton Sarros, a 1963 alumna, established the Henrietta Jenkins Memorial Poetry Reading in 2009 in honor of her former professor. Held in concert with Carson-Newman’s Homecoming weekend, the reading will be in the University’s Appalachian Cultural Center. Seating is limited.

The Appalachian Cultural Center is located along Russell Avenue on Carson-Newman’s campus.