by Haley Bianco
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Awarding winning poet, Sharon Olds, will be at KU on Oct. 24 and 25. On the 24 she will read in the Georgian Room in Old Main at 7 p.m. She will read a sampling of her work and will entertain audience questions. A reception will follow the readings and light refreshments will be provided as Olds signs books.

The following day, Oct. 25, Olds will hold a Master class with students interested in writing, which will provide students an opportunity for intimate dialogue with the celebrated poet.

Olds’ most recent awards include the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. In 2013 she also became the first female American to win the T.S. Eliot Prize in Poetry for her poetry collection, “Stag’s Leap.” This award-recognized collection takes readers through the collapse of her 30-year marriage as she intimately expresses her emotions in verse.

“Poetry as writing is where we work out the challenges that we face in life,” said KU English professor, Andrew Vogel. “Poets help us think through the struggles we face and triumphs we enjoy; they help us find language to articulate our richest feelings.” Vogel initiated contact with Olds back in March after attending one of her readings.

“She read two poems and it was completely silent in that room except for her voice—you could have heard a pin drop. Everybody was on the edge of their seats,” said Vogel.

With the help of the English Department and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, KU is very proud to host the upcoming event. Currently the English Club is getting involved in advertising and informing fellow students. The KU bookstore has a sampling of her work available.

“I hope that our students, administration, and colleagues will take away an appreciation for the art of thought and language,” said Vogel.

The English Club is forming a reading group to meet at Global Libations at 7 p.m. on Main Street on Thursday, Sept. 19, Oct. 3, and Oct. 17 to read Olds’ “Strike Sparks” together in preparation for her visit.