OCALA, FL – The College of Central Florida will host award-winning poet Cornelius Eady for two events at its Ocala Campus as part of the Debra Vazquez Memorial Poetry Series.
Eady will read his original poems Tuesday, April 7, starting at 7 p.m. at the Webber Center, and Wednesday, April 8, from 12:30-1:45 p.m. at the Ira Holmes Classroom in Building 8. Admission is free and open to the public for the April 7 event, while the April 8 event is exclusive to CF students and staff.
Eady, a professor of English at the University of Tennessee, is the recipient of the Academy of American Poets’ Wallace Stevens Award. His work explores music, family and the African American experience, often referencing blues, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll. Both readings will feature live jazz and blues accompaniment, with the April 7 event also including a musical performance with his band.
“For over 20 years, the College of Central Florida has hosted America’s best writers through the Debra Vazquez Memorial Poetry Series,” said CF senior professor Ron Cooper. “Our guests have included even U.S. Poets Laureate and a number of National Book Award winners. Among those featured were Nikki Giovanni, Ron Rash, David Kirby, Kay Ryan, Jericho Brown and Richard Blanco.”
The series is named for former CF faculty member and poet Debra Vazquez, who passed in 2004. Vazquez was known for her dedication to her students and her passion for bringing acclaimed writers to campus, including Nobel Prize-winning poet Joseph Brodsky. Following her death, colleagues continued her mission by establishing the series in her honor, maintaining a tradition of connecting students and the community with prominent voices in poetry.
“We are quite proud of our track record, and we know that Debra would be too.” Cooper said.
For more information, contact Sandra Cooper at 352-873-1361, ext. 1361, or [email protected].
