WCPS Hosting Maryland's Poet Laureate

HAGERSTOWN, MD (February 27, 2006) – Dr. Michael Glaser, Poet Laureate of Maryland, will read and discuss his poetry in the auditorium of Western Heights Middle School on Thursday, March 30, 2006, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Dr. Glaser’s appearance is free and open to the public.

Dr. Glaser was appointed Poet Laureate of Maryland in August 2004. He teaches at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he directs the school’s VOICES reading series and the Literary Festival. Dr. Glaser recently received St. Mary’s Homer Dodge Endowed Award for Excellence in Teaching, and serves as a Poet-In-the-Schools for the Maryland State Arts Council. He has published more than 400 poems in literary journals, magazines, anthologies, and newspapers. Dr. Glaser’s latest collection of poems, “Being a Father,” was published in July 2004.

Mentor resource teacher Robin Bleesz says, “Michael Glaser puts a frame around the ordinary moment, asking us to stop and look at it again, in a way we’ve never seen it before. We are looking forward to hearing one of Maryland’s foremost writers.”

Sponsorship for Dr. Glaser’s presentation is provided by the Secondary English Department of the Washington County Public Schools, with funding by the Maryland Humanities Council, and support from Columbia Gas.

Dr. Glaser will also make a presentation to WCPS students and staff on Friday, March 31, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. at South Hagerstown High School.