Technician
wednesday september
27 2011
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Poetry reunites student, professor Professor Dorianne Laux and former student Elyse Fenton share the stage, read their work. Jack Borkey Staff Writer
On Wednesday night acclaimed poet Elyse Fenton joined N.C. State Professor of English Dorianne Laux for an intimate evening of poetry. The event, held in the Craft Center in Thompson Hall, saw a crowd of about 100 people, made up of students, colleagues and friends of the poets. Fenton, a native of Massachusetts, has been featured in The New York Times, National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” and the poetry publication, “Best New Poets.” She recently published her first collection of poetry, Clamor, in 2010. The collection was selected as the winner of the 2009 Cleveland State University Poetry Center First Book Award, as well as the 2010 University of Wales Dylan Thomas Prize. While studying for a masters of fine arts at the University of Oregon, she was taught by Professor Laux. Fenton credits the maturity and development of her poetry to her former teacher. “More than any other teacher, [Professor Laux] helped me find that nerve [in my poetry],” Fenton said. “It was exactly what I needed to be told.” Professor Laux, who has authored five books of poetry, has received numerous fellowships and two Best American Poetry Prizes. In 2001, the Poet Laureate, Stanley Kuntz, selected her to read at the Library of Congress. Laux’s poems have appeared in numerous publications, including The American Poetry Review, The Seattle Review, and the Cimarron Review. Her work has also been translated into many different languages. Laux has taught in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program at N.C. State since 2008. Following a brief introduction from the Director of Creative Writing, John Balaban, Laux read six of her poems from her latest collection, The Book of Men. She began her reading with an explanation of the title of the work. “[The] book is about men,” Laux
said. “Men that I know, men that I have seen on the street, men from my past.” Upon this, Laux dove into a poem about apples, and their historical importance in the past centuries. She followed with several poems more relevant to the theme of her collection: men. Subjects included Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger, lamentation and loneliness, and what it means to be a man. She finished with a poetic ode to her mentor, current Poet Laureate Philip Levine. Laux then introduced Fenton, while expressing the deep gratification she received from reading with her former pupil. Fenton began with several poems from Clamor, almost all of which had a dark tone. The poems were Fenton’s expressions of the phone calls she would have with her husband, a medic in the United States Military in Iraq. At times the readings were violent and graphic, while the presentation was steady and somber. The readings were a contrast to the bright personality of Fenton, who had the crowd laughing with her stories and quick wit. She then veered from Clamor and read some of her newer poems which featured contrasting subjects, such as her daughter and the capture of Osama Bin Laden. Fenton finished to a warm reception and patiently answered many questions from the crowd. She cherishes the time she gets to interact with others interested in her poetry, as she jokingly says, “Writing is lonely.” “[Touring] allows me to meet [and read] to an attentive audience,” she added. “[All with] the hope that a non-poet will be converted.” Emily Scotton, a junior in English, viewed the event as very important to N.C. State’s young Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing Program, which is only in its eighth year. “[These readings] emphasize the validity and strength of the program,” Scotton said. “I’m now really interested in taking a creative writing course.” Scotton’s new-found interest in poetry represents just the type of possible convert Elyse Fenton hopes for.
How does your garden grow?
peggy boone/Technician archive photo
Joseph Magliocca, a fifth year student in biochemistry and chemistry, cringes as he receives the H1N1 vaccine injection from Registered Nurse Monteen Lerew. “I have mild asthma so they said I shouldn’t take the live [nasal mist] vaccine. My cousin got [H1N1] and I know a couple other people who have, so I’m surprised I haven’t gotten it yet,” Magliocca said.
Flu vaccine offered to students Influenza vaccines will be available in clinics without an appointment. Staff Report Influenza vaccine clinics will be open to the University community, no appointment required, Oct. 4 through Nov. 8. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina members and University-endorsed health insurance members are offering the vaccine free of charge with presentation of insurance member card and photo ID. Those with a different insurance plan will pay $25 for the flu shot or $35 for the nasal vaccine. The clinics will operate from various locations—Student Health Services, Centennial Campus, Talley Student Center and the College of Veterinary Medicine—depending on the date. Cash and check payment methods are acceptable at all venues, with University accounts and credit cards being accepted only at Talley Student Center sites. Those unable to attend the clinics can make an appointment with Student Health Services for the flu shot. The nasal vaccine can be purchased at the Student Health pharmacy with no appointment necessary, while supplies last. According to the American Lung Association, inf luenza does not usually peak until winter or early spring, but healthy people should get the shot to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the virus. For most adults, the vaccine takes effect within two weeks. People with severe allergies to
Campus influenZa vaccine clinics Date
Location
Payment Method
Oct. 4
Student Health Services
Cash, Check
Student Health Services
Cash, Check
Student Health Services
Cash, Check
Engineering Bldg. I (Centennial Campus)
Cash, Check
11 a.m.to 2 p.m. Oct. 20
Talley Student Center Ballroom
Cash, Check, University Account, Credit Card
Engineering Bldg. II (Centennial Campus)
Cash, Check
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27
Student Health Services
Cash, Check
Talley Student Center Ballroom
Cash, Check, University Account, Credit Card
CVM (College of Veterinary Medicine)
Cash, Check
Student Health Services
Cash, Check
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 11
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 12
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 13
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 26
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 3
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Source: go.ncsu.edu/flu-clinics
eggs, people who have previously had an allergic reaction to the influenza vaccination and children less than six months old are advised to consult a doctor before immunization, according to the ALA. Eve r y on e i s at risk without immunization, and on average, one out of five Americans gets the flu every year, according to the ALA. In the U.S., the association re-
ports 226,000 people are hospitalized because of the flu each year. It’s the eighth leading cause of death in the country and d e at h s r a n g e f rom 3,0 0 0 49,000 people per year. T he f lu is spread through respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing, usually through interpersonal contact or touching something contaminated with the virus.
“Everyone is at risk without immunization, and on average, one out of every five Americans gets the flu every year.”
insidetechnician
Big guns, bigger finish See page 6. tyler andrews/Technician
Corey Dobbins, senior in graphic communications, tends to plants in the Fox Science Teaching Lab Greenhouse. Dobbins took horticulture as an elective one year and enjoyed it so much he decided to minor in horticulture science.
Pack looks to bounce back against GSU See page 8.