Every spring since 1999, the Thatcher Hoffman Smith Poetry series brings a nationally renowned, award-winning poet to our campus. The event features live readings of their work, book signings, and an open mic sessions for local poets to showcase their talents.
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"Poets in Conversation" to be released this summer!
This volume compiles 25 years of readings and interviews that the Oklahoma City University community has gotten to experience thanks to the Thatcher Hoffman Smith Poetry Series. We have exciting announcements coming up regarding this new release, so check back here to stay tuned!
The Thatcher Hoffman Smith Spring Poetry Series is proud to have hosted major poets for 25 years.
Past poets include winners of National Book Awards, Pulitzer Prizes, Guggenheim Fellows, Academy of American Poets Chancellors, and Poets Laureate of the U.S. or U.K.
Our interviews with some of the previous poets are linked below.
| YEAR | POET NAME |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Jericho Brown & Pádraig Ó Tuama |
| 2022 | Naomi Shihab Nye |
| 2021 | Nikky Finney & Clemonce Heard |
| 2019 | Alberto Rios |
| 2018 | Chris Abani |
| 2017 | Simon Armitage * |
| 2016 | Marie Howe & Andrea Gibson |
| 2015 | Richard Blanco |
| 2014 | Tracy K. Smith * |
| 2013 | Terrance Hayes |
| 2012 | Claudia Emerson |
| 2011 | Carolyn Forché |
| 2010 | Natasha Trethewey * |
| 2009 | Charles Simic * |
| 2008 | Jimmy Santiago Baca |
| 2007 | Joy Harjo * |
| 2006 | Ted Kooser * |
| 2005 | Billy Collins * & Lucille Clifton |
| 2004 | Li Young Lee |
| 2003 | Naomi Shihab Nye |
| 2002 | Mark Doty |
| 2001 | Michael Ondaatje |
| 2000 | Jane Hirshfield |
| 1999 | Robert Pinsky * |
* denotes a Poet Laureate
