University of Alaska Fairbanks - Denali Yearbook (Fairbanks, AK)

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It ' s All Over Now Baby Flying Poets Swan Song On a breezy final examination day last spring, students lounged around a recently thawed quadrangle fountain, unwinding from exam cramming and waiting for an era to end. The students had come to hear the Flying Poets read their work for the last time on this campus. Dr. Edmund Skellings, Dr. Robert King, Dr. Donald Kaufman, and Lawrence Wyatt became the Flying Poets when they rented a small plane and flew throughout Alaska reading their poetry to high school students. Their purpose was, to show young students that literature was a living process and not the ' museum of the printed page ' . The idea worked so well that in the summer of 1967, the Flying Poets toured the lower 48 giving Upward Bound high school students a taste of poetry. Last year in a DENALI faculty evaluation, all four of these men were selected by students as outstanding professors. Their poetry reading, accompanied by a film and light show, ironically called the United State, infuriated some but stimidated others. Five years ago. Dr. Skellings initiated a writer ' s workshop which immediately became both popular and controversial. The Flying Poets nurtured a writer ' s workshop which grew in size, and produced poets and writers whose works have been published in national student hterary rnagazines. U of A students never knew the reason for the swan song of these innovating, sincere and honest ex-members of the English department, but they will always remember an idea made dearer and a poem made meaningful by the Flying Poets. Carol Choat and Greg Nilsson, Styrofoam Mountain Folk Group, serenade spectators. Aerial view of Plaza Happening. In background, construction of Arts and Humanities complex begins. Students lounge and listen to the Flying Poets. At top left wearing sunglasses is Larry Wyatt, one of the Flying Poets. Members of faculty and administration look on while the Flying Poets perform 13

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Flying Poets Ed SkeUings and Bob King hold a final reading in spring of 1968.

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tl One last look at the program before the procession begins. Amid smiles and frowns graduates await the processional leading to the Patty Building. m I The expression of pride tinged by nostalgia on the face of this graduate typifies the Commencement day feeling. Led by University Marshall Professor William Cashen, the procession reaches are President Wood, and then President of Board of Regents Elmer Rasmuson. 14 .