Governor Ferguson names WVC English professor Derek Sheffield as State Poet Laureate

OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson has named Washington State’s eighth and newest State Poet Laureate, an honor he gave to Professor Derek Sheffield of Wenatchee Valley College. Professor Sheffield teaches English at the college and is the author of several books of poetry, as well as the co-editor of Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry, the winner of the 2024 Pacific Northwest Book Award.

The two-year appointment makes Sheffield Washington’s cultural ambassador of poetry, a position he’s uniquely qualified for as an avid outdoorsman. The culture of Washington and the whole of the Pacific Northwest centers largely on the scenic natural beauty of the area, and Sheffield writes extensively in that vein.

It could be said that if Washington were Walden Pond, Sheffield might be its Henry David Thoreau. He not only lives in an area near Leavenworth, but has, for the last two decades, taught the Northwest Nature Writing class at Wenatchee Valley College.

“I am as much a naturalist as I am a poet, and so I am able to build awareness and connection for the natural world, just as I do for poetry,” says Sheffield. “People won’t protect what they don’t know. More of us need to understand exactly what it is we lose from our culture when we lose poetry and wildness.”

Governor Ferguson himself noted Sheffield’s focus on the environment, saying “Derek has a real gift for capturing in poetry the natural beauty that makes Washington one of the best places to live.”

Sheffield’s other passion lies in mental health awareness, and he is acutely aware of the crisis facing young people today. “As poet laureate, I want to engage more of our teenagers with poetry because it will be good medicine,” he says. “Poetry makes us slow down and dwell on our relationships.”

Indeed, the job of a poet laureate is not merely symbolic. As an ambassador through poetry, Sheffield will visit all manner of areas of community engagement, including schools and museums, and will travel the state building awareness and a deeper appreciation for poetry through readings and events, and may even embark on projects of his own choosing.

The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) and Humanities Washington co-manage the State Poet Laureate program, and have since its inception in 2007.

Karen Hanan, ArtsWA’s executive director, said in a press release announcing the Governor’s appointment  of Sheffield, “Washington is fortunate to be home to compassionate, courageous artists like Derek. We are confident that his message of community and connection to nature will improve the lives of Washingtonians across the state—especially our youth, who need this support more than ever.”

Having a local represent the state as Poet Laureate is especially exciting to members of the literary “scene” here in the Wenatchee Valley. Holly Thorpe, a colleague of Sheffield’s at the college and the founder of “LitMic: NCW’s Loudest Open Mic” — a monthly showcase for the best poets and writers from the Wenatchee Valley — told Ward Media exclusively:

“I am so proud to call Derek a friend, mentor, and colleague. He is a role model for me as a poet and educator, and inspired me to pursue my master of fine arts. The joy he finds in writing, community and the beautiful place we call home is infectious, and I’m so grateful he will get to share it with others around the state.”

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media