Poet Laureate to deliver commencement address

Fred D. Chappell, who was recently named poet laureate of North Carolina, will deliver the spring commencement address at East Carolina University on May 16.

More than 2,000 degree candidates are expected for the 89th spring commencement, scheduled for Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Fred Chappell

The public is invited. Chancellor Richard Eakin said, “We are honored that the poet laureate of North Carolina will address our graduates. Fred Chappell is known and recognized throughout the state and nation not only for his writing but for his teaching and encouragement of future generations of authors and poets. We look forward to welcoming him to our campus.”

Chappell has been a member of the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro since 1964. He teaches advanced composition, poetry and fiction, and he is the author of seven novels, 14 volumes of poetry, a book of essays and two books of short stories. His work has received wide critical recognition. His poems are the subject of a new book of essays, Dream Garden: The Poetry of Fred Chappell, edited by Dr. Patrick Bizzaro of the ECU English Department.

Chappell’s most recent novel, “Farewell, I’m Bound to Leave You,” was released in 1996. His most recent book of poetry, “Spring Garden: New and Collected Poems,” was published in 1995. His collection of essays on poetry, titled “Plow Naked,” was released in the fall of 1993. He is working on a new novel, “Look Back All the Green Valley,” and a new collection of poems, “Family Gathering.” A new book of criticism, “A Way of Happening,” will be released in March.