Kent State University receives additional donation from the Wick family to endow Poetry Center director
The Wick family has in the past funded scholarships for poetry undergraduate students.
On behalf of his family, Chris Wick has pledged a $1 million endowment to Kent State University that will fund the position of the Bob and Walt Wick Executive Director of the Wick Poetry Center.
Chris is the son of Walt Wick, who, along with his brother Bob, established scholarships for student poets at the university. Bob was formerly an Art Department faculty member at Kent State, and the two brothers created scholarships in the memory of their two sons, both of whom died when they were in their teens.
According to an article on Kent State University’s website, Chris shared his passion for poetry and what poetry can do for humankind, which speaks to the family’s decision to continue bestowing money for the study of poetry at the university: “There is poetry all around us, in the names of our children, in our favorite lyrics and in the quiet whisper to a loved one, and when we seek out, write down and speak our own poetry, we can find liberation and secure a connection to ourselves and our audience that can’t be made in any other way,” he said.
The Wick Poetry Center first began as a memorial scholarship, which became the Wick Poetry Program. Today, the Center is headed by David Hassler, the Executive Director, whose title will now be the Bob and Walt Wick Executive Director of the Wick Poetry Center. Hassler was hired in 2000 and in the ensuing two-plus decades, has expanded the Center and its footprint on the university as a whole and even the country. Hassler had a hand in the Poets for Science exhibition, the Freedom Story exhibition, and the Global Peace Poem, among other projects.
Of the gift bestowed by the Wick family, Hassler said, “The Wick Poetry Center is deeply rooted in our community and continues to be nourished by the passionate engagement of the Wick family. Thanks to the original vision and generosity of Bob and Walt and now of Chris, representing the second generation, our center will continue to grow, transforming the lives of students and community members, locally and nationally, welcoming all into the ever-expanding Wick family of poets.”
Kent State’s President Todd Diacon echoed Hassler’s sentiments, expressing his gratitude for the family’s generosity: “The Wick family has meant so much to this university for many decades. Their vision and passion for supporting students, the university and local communities in their pursuit of learning, healing and connecting through poetry have elevated Kent State and the Wick Poetry Center into the innovative and renowned place it is today. Our sincere thanks to Chris and the Wick family for their ongoing support and generosity.”
In total, the Wick family has given Kent State University more than $3.5 million. Chris has also committed to raising that total even further by matching donations to the Wick Poetry Center’s fund during Kent State’s Giving Tuesday campaign, up to $20,000.
For more information about Kent State University, visit the school’s website.