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Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced Mattie Quesenberry Smith as Virginia’s new Poet Laureate.
Smith, a professor at the Virginia Military Institute, is an award-winning poet. She recently completed her PhD at Virginia Tech.
In a statement, Governor Youngkin said, “It is my honor to appoint Mattie Quesenberry Smith as Poet Laureate of Virginia. Poets have long captured the joys and struggles of life through their work. Poetry is a vital art form, and I am confident Ms. Smith will serve as a wonderful ambassador for it. On behalf of the Commonwealth, Suzanne and I congratulate Ms. Smith and her family.”
Since 1988, Virginia governors have appointed the state’s Poet Laureate. Smith’s term will last two years.
