BETTER TOGETHER … as we celebrate being together, we are also reminded of the past and how we can truly honor those who made things happen at CF.
Professor Debra Vazquez was a beloved colleague, faculty member and poet. Debra taught literature, composition and creative writing, but her first love was always poetry: reading it, writing it, and, most importantly, sharing it. She was the first faculty sponsor of Imprints, CF’s literary and art magazine, and through Debra’s efforts, CF hosted three poets laureate: Joseph Brodsky (also the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature), Robert Hass and Billy Collins.
Sadly, Debra was a victim of domestic violence. After her death, her colleagues choose to honor her and continue her work by establishing the Debra Vazquez Memorial Poetry Series with the goal of bringing nationally renowned poets to CF so students and staff can be treated to the poetry Debra loved so much.
The Debra Vazquez Memorial Poetry Endowed Chair was established by Communications faculty to help ensure the Poetry Series will endure and Debra’s legacy will continue to enrich not just CF, but our larger communities of Marion, Citrus, and Levy counties.
Please consider donating to the Debra Vasquez Memorial Poetry Endowed Chair through your CF Family Campaign contribution this year. Gifts can be made online or by returning your CF Family Campaign envelope to the CF Foundation office. For questions about the CF Family Campaign, please contact your department representative or Elvie Tyler in the CF Foundation office at tylere@cf.edu or ext. 1726.
Good things happen here at CF … BETTER TOGETHER.