In a world where poetry often feels distant and inaccessible, one poet stands out for her ability to connect with audiences on a personal level. By creating an inviting atmosphere, she makes poetry a shared experience, opening doors for newcomers to the art form. This unique approach is highlighted by Dagman, who notes the rare quality of a poet speaking directly to her audience, especially in academic settings.
The first (and only) Nebraska poet laureate
Back in 1921, Nebraska became the second state in the United States to appoint a poet laureate, awarding the title to John Neihardt. Known for his work “Black Elk Speaks,” Neihardt was celebrated for his poetic contributions, including an epic piece on the settlement of the Great Plains. The Lincoln Star in 1971 remarked on Neihardt’s recognition: “Nebraskans, for all their proverbial hardy ruggedness and practical sensibility, showed themselves among the first to appreciate Dr. Neihardt’s quiet poetic genius — enough so to create by an unprecedented legislative act the post of poet laureate.”
Following Neihardt’s death in 1973, Nebraska did not appoint another poet laureate. The search resumed more earnestly in 1981, but it took an unexpected turn when an Omaha World-Herald article speculated that the new laureate might be announced during a halftime show at a Nebraska-Iowa football game.
This suggestion sparked a backlash from the state’s poets. Over a dozen contenders, including future U.S. poet laureate Ted Kooser, voiced their discontent in a letter published in several newspapers, arguing that such recognition would devalue the contributions of many literary artists in Nebraska. Their work, they claimed, was being “cheapened by the publicity.”
The letter influenced the Nebraska Committee for the Humanities to shift its approach. Instead of appointing another poet laureate, they created the title of state poet and appointed Bill Kloefkorn, a professor at Nebraska Wesleyan University, while designating Neihardt as poet laureate “in perpetuity.”
Kloefkorn’s tenure was relatively low-profile, but his successors amplified the role’s public image. After his passing in 2011, Twyla Hansen, a former student, assumed the position in 2013, and the role was limited to a five-year term. Hansen aimed to modernize the position, declaring, “When I came into the position, I said, ‘I want to bring it into the 21st century,’” noting that her predecessor lacked even email access.
Mason, Hansen’s successor, took a more expansive approach from 2019 to 2024, intending to hold a poetry event in all 93 Nebraska counties. Despite COVID-19 disruptions, he achieved this goal, hosting 628 events statewide. Mason emphasized the importance of accessibility in poetry, stating, “I’m really proud that I did a poetry event — at least one — in every county. But I think it’s absolutely important that this kind of work still happen, whether it’s me or other poets. It’s not something that’s ever finished.”
‘A commanding presence’
Rodgers, like Mason, prioritizes expanding poetry’s reach. Her engaging performance during the interview process convinced the selection committee of her potential to attract new audiences. Former professor Chuck Peek, a committee member, remarked, “By the time we heard Jewel’s performance when she interviewed, we all thought, ‘You know, if we’re looking for something that’s gonna engage audiences around the state and turn more people on to poetry, this is sure it.’”
Peek was struck by her stage presence, sharing, “Before she’d done anything except to say hello, you felt you were in the room with a commanding presence.” He noted with a chuckle that not all poets possess this quality.
Rodgers’s vision extends beyond traditional settings, aiming to showcase Nebraska’s literary talent to wider audiences, including students, young people, and underserved communities. Hansen, also on the selection committee, highlighted Rodgers’s goal of involving these groups. “It bridges a gap when they can see that she’s warm and friendly, a real person,” Hansen commented.
Rodgers plans to host five poetry showcases across Nebraska’s three congressional districts. These events aim to spotlight local writers while offering an entertaining experience with music and a lively atmosphere, appealing to those who might not typically attend poetry readings.
