UPIKE Newsroom

As part of the University of Pikeville English program’s homecoming celebration, Kentucky Poet Laureate Jeff Worley will be reading from his work on Saturday, October 26, at 9 a.m. in Allara Library on UPIKE’s campus. 

“We are very fortunate to have such a talented writer as our current Kentucky Poet Laureate to visit and share his work with the UPIKE and Pikeville community,” said author and UPIKE Professor of English James Riley. “He is an excellent poet and I encourage everyone to come out during our Homecoming celebration and hear him read his work.”

Worley, a Kansas native, received his master’s degree of fine arts in creative writing from Wichita State University. Prior to moving to Kentucky in 1986, Worley taught at the University of Maryland’s European Division in Heidelberg, Germany, the University of Cincinnati, Penn State University and Transylvania University. He has also served as Writer in Residence and conducted poetry writing workshops at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

After being announced as Kentucky Poet Laureate by Governor Matt Bevin in April of 2019, Worley was formally inducted by the Kentucky Arts Council during a ceremony at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

Worley has published six books, four chapter books, and edited a poetry anthology, titled What Comes Down to Us. Worley’s poems have appeared widely in magazines in the United States and Canada for the past 45 years, and he is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including three Al Smith Fellowships from the Kentucky Arts Council. Worley’s books include A Little Luck, Driving Late to the Party: TheKansas Poemsand Best to Keep Moving.

As Kentucky Poet Laureate, Worley plans to promote writers in the bluegrass and is eager to continue highlighting poetry across the commonwealth. 

The community is cordially invited to attend the free event. For more information, visit UPIKE.edu/events.