Jesse Koenig

MARQUETTE– Jesse Koenig, who currently serves as a student success advisor at Northern Michigan University, has been named the next Upper Peninsula Poet Laureate.

Beverly Matherne has served as the U.P. Poet Laureate since 2023 and prepares to wrap up her term. As part of her duties as 2023-2025 U.P. Poet Laureate, Matherne implemented her U.P. Poet Laureate project, which will included visits to high school and middle school classrooms throughout the Upper Peninsula, promoting the art of poetry through interactive lessons and writing activities. Recently Matherne read at the Dead Writers in October, a Halloween poetry reading held by NMU’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta.

The Upper Peninsula Poet Laureate Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that promotes poetry and the spoken word through public readings, workshops, virtual events and digital platforms. The foundation celebrates the U.P. and its cultural heritage through poems in online or print publications and champions past and present U.P. poets.

The Upper Peninsula Poet Laureate serves a two-year term, which may be renewed one time. The laureate represents all 15 counties of the Upper Peninsula. Visit the Coming Events page to learn about the Poet Laureate’s readings, workshops and other events.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.