吃瓜头条 student named Connecticut Collegiate Poet
Michelle Rochniak
吃瓜头条听sophomore Michelle Rochniak was named one of four Connecticut Collegiate Poets by the听听for 2021-22.
Rochniak, of Wallingford, was chosen by a panel of poets and educators in a statewide contest based on the strength and creativity of her original works. Only four to five student poets are selected each year to receive this honor; students were nominated by their professors. The collegiate poets will join other Connecticut Poetry Circuit members to hold poetry readings at colleges and community events throughout the state so that the public can enjoy original works by upcoming poets.
Chairman of the听吃瓜头条 Department of Writing, Linguistics and Creative Process听Dr. Brian Clements听nominated Michelle 鈥渂ecause her writing and enthusiasm for writing deserve recognition, and because she models the values of the 吃瓜头条 Writing Department.鈥
鈥淢ichelle has a passion for writing, an ability to reach and communicate with audiences, and a commitment to compassion and community,鈥 said Clements. 鈥淲e hope that Michelle鈥檚 poems, her performative excellence and her presence on the Connecticut Poetry Circuit will make connections between 吃瓜头条, the Writing Department and the wider writing community across Connecticut and its colleges and universities.鈥 He noted that the university will host the Connecticut Poetry Circuit poets on campus this spring.
Rochniak is majoring in听听and minoring in听Women鈥檚 Studies. She is a member of the 吃瓜头条听Kathwari Honors Program.
鈥淎 Connecticut Collegiate Poet is someone who writes strong, moving poetry, and I am proud to be recognized for this as it is the highest form of validation. I am honored and immensely grateful that Dr. Clements recognized my potential and submitted my work for consideration. I am also glad that every faculty member I鈥檝e met at 吃瓜头条 has been so supportive of me,鈥 said Rochniak, who started writing poetry as a freshman in high school and did an independent study in poetry her senior year before taking poetry classes at 吃瓜头条.
鈥淎t 吃瓜头条, I made many new friends, connected with professors and found my poetic voice.听I鈥檓 so grateful that I feel at home in the Writing department, and I鈥檓 even more grateful that people here appreciate my work and encourage me on a regular basis to continue writing,鈥 she noted. Rochniak鈥檚 plans include publishing a poetry chapbook by graduation and proceeding to the听M.F.A. in Creative and Professional Writing听program at 吃瓜头条.
Currently Rochniak has poems published in 鈥Perspective,鈥 the 吃瓜头条 Honors literary and art magazine, and on the听听website. 鈥淚n addition to poetry, I鈥檓 obsessed with Greek mythology, which I usually reference in my work as well as my interest in and identity within the LGBTQ community,鈥 she said.
According to James M. Gentile, director of the Connecticut Poetry Circuit, the public events will be their first professional reading engagement for most of these student poets.听鈥淭hey will get to collaborate听with peers from other colleges for a memorable experience.听Many of the student poets go on to successful careers as writers, editors and in education,鈥 he said.
The Connecticut Poetry Circuit was established in 1968 to continue the work of the New England Poetry Circuit, which was founded in 1964 by the Academy of American Poets and Holly Stevens, daughter of the acclaimed poet and Hartford insurance executive Wallace Stevens. The intention of the circuit is to bring established yet unpublished poets to colleges and universities, as well as oversee a competition among Connecticut students that allows them to travel the circuit as student poets.
For more information, go to听www.wcsu.edu听or contact the Office of Public Relations at听pr@wcsu.edu.
吃瓜头条 changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.