Smith Creative Writers Reading Series

The 2026-27 Smith Creative Writers Reading Series at Penn State Behrend begins Thursday, Sept. 17, with a reading by the poet and essayist Elizabeth Hazen. The 6 p.m. reading and the author reception that precedes it are free and open to the public. Both will be held in the lobby of the Metzgar Center.

Hazen has published three collections of poetry: “Chaos Theories,” “Girls Like Us” and “The Sky Will Hold.” Her work has appeared in Best American Poetry, Epoch, The Threepenny Review and Shenandoah, among other journals.

Hazen teaches poetry through the Goucher Prison Education Partnership. She lives in Baltimore.

The Smith Creative Writers Reading Series is produced by Penn State Behrend’s creative writing program, which leads to a bachelor of fine arts degree. The program is the only one of its kind at Penn State.

To learn more about the series, visit the Reading Series webpage, or call 814-898-6108.