D-E was recently graced with a campus visit from renowned poet Dr. Joshua Bennett, a Professor of Literature and Distinguished Chair of the Humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. Bennett is the author of five books, including The Sobbing School, a National Poetry Series selection and finalist for an NAACP Image Award. In 2009, he shared his original work at President Barack Obama’s Evening of Poetry, Music and the Spoken Word at The White House. 

Jeremy Meserole P’26,’28’,’30, English Department Chair, co-hosted the visit with D-E Chief Innovation Officer Diana Gross, which included spoken word performances during the Middle School and Upper School Assemblies; interacting with MS and US students; signing books; and engaging in inspiring ideation discussions with faculty / staff.

When asked about the importance of poetry in trying times, Dr. Bennett declared, “I’ve been living in poetry my whole life… [poetry] is an occasion to remember we’re human.” He also described his work at MIT, for which he has lectured on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence and said he aims to help students connect with the human side of their feats and accomplishments. “Let your mind live in the space of imagination,” he counseled. 

Thank you Dr. Joshua Bennett for sharing both your poetry and perspectives so memorably, and for making an impact on how D-E can consider new ways to “... foster in each student a passion for life-long learning”!