Kent State students don’t have to go far to explore their poetic abilities or simply relax and read poetry.

The Wick Poetry Center provides opportunities for poets locally and nationally to establish themselves and hopefully get the opportunity to have their work published.

David Hassler, the program and outreach director, wants students and area readers to utilize the opportunities the Wick Poetry Center provides.

“The program gives emerging writers the chance to work with established authors and the chance of one day being published themselves,” Hassler said.

Bob and Walter Wick founded the program in 1984. It was established as a center within the College of Arts and Sciences in 2004.

The Wick Poetry Series is held annually in honor of Stan and Tom Wick. Special readers come to the campus to speak to students, faculty and some of the local public.

“The first readings of the year are always the biggest. It is used to kick-off a series of readings that will be presented on campus,” Hassler said

There will be a total of six readings presented to the university this year in the Wick Poetry Series.

The Wick Poetry Center also features the Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Reading Room located in 301A Satterfield Hall.

Valerie Sufferon, the Wick publications assistant, is responsible for the reading room and said she wishes more people knew what the room symbolized and what the room can offer to students interested in creative writing and poetry.

“I would like for more people to become familiar with the room and utilize all the publication resources that the room offers to students,” Sufferon said.

The Wick Poetry Reading Room is open Monday through Friday and is open to all students who want to use its resources.

The center also reaches out to the community and to area schools, said Lindsay Bennett, Wick outreach assistant. Outreach programs let students go to local schools and read to children.

Bennet said she enjoys the time she gets to spend at area schools helping children understand how to be creative with their writing and voice.

“It is very exciting to go into the community and to schools in the area because we are able to reach out to a younger audience,” Bennett said.

Wick programs and the Wick Poetry Center have been put into place to give people opportunities to reach out to audiences.

For more information about the Wick Poetry Center, call (330) 672-2067, or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Contact college of arts and sciences reporter Ryan Knight at [email protected].