University English Prof. Rita Dove was formally sworn in as Poet Laureate of Virginia yesterday at the U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in downtown Charlottesville.
"Being inducted felt wonderful," Dove said. "To give that kind of importance to poetry and to be inducted here in this courtroom was really great."
Before Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III administered the oath of office, he read the title poem from Dove's newest book of poetry, "American Smooth."
"I am personally a great fan and admirer of Rita's," Wilkinson said. "Rita Dove is a household name around Virginia and is becoming a household name across the U.S. It is a privilege for me to be administering this procedure today."
Dove's husband, Fred Viebahn, a scholar-in-residence at the University, held the Bible for Dove as she was sworn in.
Dove previously served as Poet Laureate of the United States from 1993 to 1995. She also has received numerous literary awards, including the 1987 Pulitzer Prize, the 1997 Barnes & Nobles "Writers for Writers" award and most recently, the 2003 Emily Couric Leadership Award.
"My position as the U.S. Poet Laureate gives me an advantage in this position because it gives me a higher profile," Dove said. "What I want to do is raise the level of awareness about poetry, and my status makes it easier for me to do this."
Dove's newly appointed position carries no official duties, but Dove said she is planning to gauge what is needed around the state and craft her course of action to address what she finds.
"I am just waiting for people to tell me what they need me to do," Dove said.
Dove is the second Laureate in a row to live in Charlottesville. Poet George Garrett, a professor emeritus at the University, just finished his term as Virginia's Laureate. Dove said this is a testament to the strong artistic community in the Charlottesville area and is part of the reason that she has lived here for 15 years.
"I tell my students that you have to love life in order to enjoy poetry so I try to incorporate that into my goals," Dove said. "My goals are to keep writing poetry because it is something I love -- and to keep enjoying life because I don't think that you can separate life from art."
Dove has published eight books of poetry, a novel, a play and several essays.
Her play "The Darker Face of the Earth," which premiered in 1996, was subsequently produced at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and at several other theaters around the world.
Dove will appear tonight at Piedmont Virginia Community College for a reception and book signing.
-Staff writer Whitney Gruenloh contributed to this report.
Read More
Virginia General Assembly demands answers about Ryan's resignation in Aug. 1 letter
By Brendon Bordwine | 4 hours agoIn a 10-page letter obtained by The Cavalier Daily, State Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, demanded written responses and documentation from University Rector Rachel Sheridan and University Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson regarding the lead up to and fallout from former University President Jim Ryan's resignation.
Weighing their place in U.Va. presidential search, students hope for leader with integrity
By Mia Tan | 2 days agoWith the search for the University’s 10th president underway, students are voicing cautious hopes for a leader who will prioritize transparency, integrity and the needs of the University community
Honor Committee discusses potential changes to its sanctioning process
By Bertie Azqueta | 3 days agoAny changes to the role of counsel could significantly affect how sanctioning is pursued by the reporter and the University community against those who committed Honor offenses.
