FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            Contact: Marisa Bilicic

March 31, 2003                                                                  814-676-6591 Ext. 1215

 Nationally Renowned Poet to Perform at

Clarion University–Venango Campus

OIL CITY, PA – Sean Thomas Dougherty, an award-winning poet and popular crowd-pleaser, will perform at Clarion University−Venango Campus on Tuesday, April 15. Dougherty is well-known for his physical storytelling style that brings his poetry to life and mesmerizes audiences. His performance will begin at 7:00 pm in Rhoades Center and is free and open to the public.

            “The Clarion University–Venango Campus community is committed to providing opportunities for cultural enrichment for all community members,” said Dr. Christopher M. Reber, executive dean of Venango Campus. “Professor Dougherty will do just that by offering a unique and powerful experience through his art.”

An assistant director of creative writing for Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, Dougherty’s reading is filled with the sounds of neighborhoods, cities and characters and it fills many audience members with strong emotions. Dougherty has performed at the Lollapalooza Music Festival, the Detroit Art Festival, the Erie Jazz Festival and many colleges across the country. He has won several awards for his poetry including the 2000 Francis Locke Memorial Poetry Prize and the UMass Lowell Poetry Prize. Professor Dougherty also is the author of six books including the forthcoming book of poems Nightshift Belonging to Lorca and the book of experimental prose The Biography of Broken Things.

Clarion University–Venango Campus provides high-quality educational programs and personalized services to help students succeed. Students can earn an associate degree, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in select areas, obtain a one-year certificate or participate in a variety of professional development and personal enrichment courses. Clarion University–Venango Campus is committed to serving the needs of the community. Special programs offered at the campus include Kids in College, Jump Start and SeniorLink.

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