Mississippi’s New Poet Laureate Is Chosen

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi’s new poet laureate says her mission is to “get poetry in front of as many Mississippians as possible.”

Beth Ann Fennelly was introduced in the new role Wednesday at the state Capitol.

Gov. Phil Bryant chose her from among three finalists recommended by a committee. She is the state’s fifth poet laureate since the position was created in 1963, and succeeds Natasha Trethewey, who had held the honorary post since 2010.

The 45-year-old Fennelly has been director of the masters of fine arts program at the University of Mississippi for the past six years, teaching poetry and nonfiction writing. Her sixth book will be published in 2017.

Fennelly was born in New Jersey and raised in the Chicago area, and has lived in Mississippi since 2001.