WKU News

On Thursday, April 28th, the WKU Department of English wrapped up the 2022 Creative Writing Reading series by hosting the 18th annual Goldenrod Poetry Festival.

The event featured a reading by Lexington guest poet Whitnee Thorp, who read a variety of her poems, including “Drinking Tea,” “Eating Soup in China,” and “Sunflowers.” Thorp holds a BA in English from WKU as well as an MFA in Creative Writing from EKU, and is the author of many published poems, including her two chapbooks Cicurate and Kintsukuroi.

Three WKU students were named winners of the Goldenrod Poetry Festival contest as well. Each student read their winning poems at the event. 

1st place was won by Bowling Green sophomore Miriam Story for her poem “Legacy Counting the Rings in a Tree Trunk”

2nd place was won by Shelbyville, Ky., senior Kayla Spears for her piece “Would I Betray Feminism for a Paycheck?”

3rd place was won by Bowling Green post-baccalaureate student Heather Neidlinger for her poem “Who We Were.”

“It [the event] has definitely boosted my confidence in my creative writing skills,” Story said. “That was the first time I’ve ever read my poetry in front of others. I was nervous at first, but I enjoyed myself a lot.”

To stay up-to-date on events within the English department, visit the English department website and social media pages.