Jonathan Holden -- Kansas Poet Laureate -- KSU Poet-In-Residence

Jonathan Holden, appointed Kansas' first poet laureate on July 1, 2005, has been recognized as one of America's foremost poets. He is a University Distinguished Professor of English and Poet-in-Residence at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.

Updated 04-10-13

Announcement and Congratulations

Jonathan Holden will retire in August 2013 after 35 years of service to Kansas State University.

With gratitude, Kansas State University recognized Jonathan’s significant contributions to the fields of creative writing and literary criticism and to the mission of Kansas State University. at an event held at the Kansas State University Alumni Center, Manhattan Kansas, Saturday, April 6, 2013.

In honor and celebration of his retirement, colleagues, students (past and present), friends and acquaintances gathered to recognize and pay tribute to his many accomplishments and contributions.

Sponsored by the KSU English Department, the event was planned and hosted by Elizabeth Dodd (University Distinguished Professor), Karin E. Westman (Department Head & Associate Professor) and Dan Hoyt (Assistant Professor).

Special guests included four of Jonathan's former students and Professor Denise Low, (former Kansas Poet Laureate, 2007-2009). Each reminisced how Jonathan had inspired them and countless others over the years. Each read select poems from Jonathan's collections as well as examples of their own work. Those presenting included: Derick Burleson (M.A. ’90 - professor of Creative Writing, U of ALaska Fairbanks), Greg German (B.A. ’85), , Ed Skoog (B.A. ’93 - visiting professor at the University of Montana), Michael Verschelden (B.A. ’09).

Also in attendance was friend and former United States Poet Laureate, Ted Koozer. ► Read Jonathan's Bio

Photo by David Mayes, K-State photographer

Back, L-R: Derick Burleson, Greg German, Ed Skoog, Michael Verschelden Front, L-R: Denise Low, Jonathan Holden, Ted Koozer

"Jonathan Holden is one of our most intelligent poets... It is not always easy to be both brilliant and generous of spirit. It is our good fortune that Holden wears his learning lightly and with such unaffected grace and charm."

—Ted Kooser
-- former Poet Laureate
United States of America

Jonathan Holden, I think, really directed the course that American poets followed and took through the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st; he's a prophet.

—Derick Burleson
-- former Holden student &
Prof. U. of Alaska Fairbanks

"Holden's command of language is staggering his range of subjects is extensive. He writes about sex, mathematics, nationalism, propaganda, baseball, blackmail — always with an emotional honesty that pushes his observations in surprising directions that the reader can never anticipate."

—U. of Arkansas Press
Publisher of Holden's book, Knowing