Press Release
February 5, 2007
Rachel B. Noel Students Get A Taste Of College Life
Eighth grade students from Rachel B. Noel Middle School have been invited to participate in honoring Rachel Bassett Noel at the Metropolitan State College on the Auraria campus on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. The Rachel B. Noel Distinguishing Visiting Professorship, an annual event, was established since her retirement in 1981, in honor of Noel's contributions to Metropolitan State College as teacher, Chair of African American Studies, and Civil Rights activist.
During this visit, students will be treated to a campus visitation, lunch and most importantly, time to talk with the 2008 Rachel B. Noel Distinguished Visiting professor, Al Young. In addition, students will be sharing their own poetry and will be working with current college students to gain exposure to college life.
Al Young is a former Edward B. Jones Lecturer in creative writing at Stanford University. He has taught poetry and fiction writing at universities throughout California and the rest of the United State. Al Young has received many writing awards including the Guggenheim, Fulbright Fellowships and American Book Awards. During his professorship, he will pay tribute to Colorado's civil rights leaders, such as Rachel Bassett Noel. Guest poets also include Mary Crow, Colorado Poet Laureate, and Chris Ransick, Denver Poet Laureate.
For more information, contact Sandra Brooks at sandra_brooks@dpsk12.org or visit the Metro State College website at www.mscd.edu/news/noel. For media inquiries, contact Alex Sanchez, DPS Director of Communications at 720-423-3414.