Malcolm White, executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission announced Fennelly’s selection Wednesday at the Rotunda of the Capitol Building. Fennelly was selected from three finalists that were submitted to Governor. Phil Bryant was selected by the state poet laureate selection panel. Fennelly applied to the position, but her reaction to learning she was selected was to laugh. “I’m thrilled, I’m so happy. Fennelly said that even though I knew I had been nominated and that my application was progressing through the system I didn’t think it would happen. Fennelly is a native Chicagoan and directs the master of fine art program in the English Department at the University of Mississippi. She says it’s an honor to have her name recognized by a place she loves. This is where my family will be raised, where my children will be educated, and where I’ll live. It has been a profound experience for me to have that place claim me.” She says the South is a great place to write, especially in Mississippi. She received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Notre Dame, and her master of fine art degree at the University of Arkansas. “I feel like Oxford, Mississippi specifically, is still a place where reading matters. Fennelly stated that it’s still a place in which the stories we share about our lives impact our lives. Fennelly claims that she was initially drawn to the idea of becoming a poetess while in college. A person asked Fennelly when she decided she wanted to become a poet during a reading. Fennely said that she told the audience the story of being in a college creative writing class. “My mom was also in the audience,” Fennely said. She said, “That’s not true Beth Ann. I have a letter that you wrote when your were seven, saying you wanted to become a poet.” Now that Fennelly has been named Mississippi’s poet laureate, she hopes to share the joy she experiences from poetry with others in Mississippi. Fennelly said, “That’s been my lifelong goal.” With its rich traditions in literature, oral history and music, she believes Mississippi is the perfect place for this. Fennelly stated, “I want Mississippi to know that poetry is possible in such rich ways. If I can help spread that message, I’ll be happy.” Fennelly really wants to help children learn poetry. “It’s pleasurable to me, and children understand poetry because they nonsense rhymes and they clap and they like Dr. Suess,” she said. Fennelly believes that students are often disconnected from poetry because of the way it is taught in schools. Fennelly said, “I hate to speak it.” She says that some students are taught poetry must be structured. You can’t approach poetry from the heart or the ears; you must approach it with intellect and knowledge. Fennelly stated that she believes poetry should be approached from the heart, but not the ear. Fennelly notes that Mississippians tend to focus on its negatives and ignore its rich literary heritage. “I want you to know what?” Fennelly asked, “Most Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, best bookstore in the South, let’s talk about that?” Fennelly was honored as Ole Miss’ Outstanding Teacher of Year in 2011. Fennelly is the author of three poetry books, Open House, Tender hooks and Unmentionables. She also published a book of nonfiction (“Great with Child”). She co-authored The Tilted World, a 2013 novel, with her husband Tom Franklin. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today.