What happens when a librarian and a poet team up to make poetry matter on campus?

As part of Marist’s celebration of National Poetry Month, the Marist Poetry Project is collaborating with the Cannavino Library to showcase original student writing on campus.

During April, specially crafted broadsides featuring poems written by students in Dr. Virginia Konchan’s creative writing classes have been placed on the study tables throughout the Cannavino Library and other places on campus, along with materials for any student to write their own poems while they study.

Hear Marist students, faculty, and staff on their favorite poems as part of the #MaristPoetryProject

Students can even snap a photo of their impromptu poetry and share on social media using the hashtag #MaristPoetryProject. Librarian Nancy Lewis is overseeing the project. All members of the Marist community are encouraged to visit the Cannavino Library during April to read the various student poems, write their own, and view the Marist Poetry Project display located in the entrance foyer.

"Our hope with the project is to help everyone on campus realize a simple poem can be so powerful in our lives," Dr. Konchan said. "Students should know how important it is to share their own creative voice."