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Illinois Has a New Poet Laureate
Mrs. Fox and QueSPER were invited to Springfield on December 11 to be present at the announcement of Illinois' new Poet Laureate. Kevin Stein, Professor of English at Bradley University in Peoria, was selected from a field of twenty-six nominees by a committee chaired by First Lady Patti Blagojevich.
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Governor Blagojevich making the announcement |
QueSPER, Mrs. Fox, and Dr. Stein |
QueSPER at the podium with Dr. Stein's photograph in the background. |
Governor Blagojevich introduced Dr. Stein and unveiled his photograph which will hang beside Illinois' previous Poet Laureates, Howard B. Austin (1936-1962), Carl Sandburg (1962-1967), and Gwendolyn Brooks(1968-2000). The ceremony was held at the Gwendolyn Brooks Illinois State Library across from the State Capitol Building.
Kevin Stein is not only a prize-winning poet in his own right, he has also edited several anthologies of the works of other Illinois poets. Most recently, he edited Illinois Voices: An Anthology of Twentieth-Century Poetry with colleague, G. E. Murray. As the new Poet Laureate, Dr. Stein will create a website devoted to Illinois poets and poetry, host a monthly radio show, and sponsor a statewide poetry contest for students in elementary, middle and high schools in Illinois. He will serve in his post for four years.
Governor Blagojevich's announcement
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