‘Seeing Double’ - RIC alum Gary Whitehead returns to campus

Desiree Leader

Anchor Contributor

Rhode Island College alum and award-winning poet, Gary Whitehead, returned to campus for a poetry reading at 4:00 p.m. on Oct. 5 in Gaige 200. Hosted by the College Lectures Committee, the Performing and Fine Arts Commission, and Shoreline, the event was attended not only by alumni, faculty, and students, but the public, as well.

Gary Whitehead (pictured) reading from his book, ‘Seeing Double’ (photo by author)

Whitehead was introduced by Shoreline member and RIC student Kameron Rodrigues, who explained the reasons Whitehead’s visit was so special.

“For starters, he has travelled along the same beat-up Rhode Island roads, but also shared may of the dreams and struggles RIC’s students have just started to explore,” Rodrigues announced. “Gary will be sharing his new book of poems, ‘Seeing Double’, a collection imbued with the pauses between breaths...”

While he shared several poems from “Seeing Double,” the crowd favorite seemed to be “Air: An Aria,” a lighthearted poem written entirely in palindromes, reading the same forward and backward.

“I’ve always been a word lover, I love word play,” Whitehead said.

Many of his poems are set in Rhode Island, and filled with the nostalgia of his youth, growing up in Rumford and spending much of his time in Pawtucket. RIC student Suleimen Seitkarim spoke highly of the event.

“I really admired and appreciated the academic background of Gary Whitehead,” Seitkarim said. “The number and the prestige of the poems was inspiring!”

Following the reading, there was a question-and-answer period facilitated by RIC student and Shoreline member Sarah Kane, as well as refreshments and a book signing. Additional copies of “Seeing Double” may be purchased at the school bookstore.

Whitehead, a retired educator, took advantage of his day at RIC to spend some time in the classroom. He shared a lesson in Dr. Carrie Shipers’ Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry class, encouraging the students to write a poem about their biggest regret. He also took some time out of his day to visit with students in Shoreline Productions, discussing his work and answering their questions.

“It was something deeply meaningful to me, as a native Rhode Islander and aspiring creative,” Sophia Puerta, a student in both classes, said. “His presence was a testament to the fact that it is possible to flourish in a creative field, regardless of where you come from – and it is foolish not to pursue those creative dreams.”

“We’re very lucky at Rhode Island College to have the opportunity to host such a distinguished poet,” Dr. Shipers said. “And I love the way Gary Whitehead’s work treats the place he’s from with such wonderfully clear-sighted tenderness.”

When asked to reflect on his visit, Whitehead replied, “it felt deeply satisfying to be back in the classroom on a beautiful October day. And I was glad the two classes were at RIC, where I earned my B.A. in English in 1990 and my M.A.T. (English) in 1992.”

Whitehead mentioned that RIC was formative in his Intellectual and professional development.

“I was glad to be able to give back by sharing my work and experiences with a current batch of students,” Whitehead said. “The students in both classes were inquisitive, polite, appreciative, and engaged.”

Whitehead’s advice to RIC students is “to put yourself out there, and to have faith in your ability to develop and improve.” He is a shining example of what a Rhode Island College Graduate is capable of.