Acclaimed Irish poet Seamus Heaney, who died at age 74, was remembered fondly by พรพรสำฦต faculty and former students for his strong ties to the university and for his commencement address here in 1994.
Fellow poet , professor of English and director of creative writing at พรพรสำฦต, called Heaney a longtime friend of the university.
He said he received several emails from former students who fondly remember interactions with Heaney during off-campus study group lectures in London and in lectures at พรพรสำฦต. Letters to the พรพรสำฦต Scene from alumni who met Heaney have already been received.
Heaney first lectured to พรพรสำฦต students for a 1969 London study group directed by English Professor Bruce Berlind. He also lectured for Berlindโs London classes in the โ70s and for the late Professor Terrence Des Presโ London study group in the early โ80s.
Balakian was able to bring Heaney to James Joyceโs Martello Tower in London for lectures to พรพรสำฦต students that focused on William Butler Yeats.
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Heaney read periodically at พรพรสำฦต, and, in 1994, he spoke at commencement and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Addressing the Class of โ94 on โFaith, Hope and Poetry,โ Heaney said: โFaith, hope and poetry are all manifestations of creative mind, that uniquely human gift . . . held in special trust by those privileged to receive a liberal education at a university like พรพรสำฦต.โ
โHeaney had a profound impact on many พรพรสำฦต students, and it was a relationship we were all grateful for and that continues to have a legacy,โ said Balakian.
Did you ever meet Heaney while you were at พรพรสำฦต? Please share any recollections in the comments section below.