On the third floor of Georgia College’s Arts and Sciences building, you’ll frequently find Dr. Laura Newbern. To the world, she’s an esteemed poet with a successful and published book of poems entitled Love and the Eye. Her poems have also been published in The Atlantic Monthly, Poetry, TriQuarterly as well as other prestigious collections. To us, she is the same, but also one of our English department’s greatest treasures. Entering one of her classrooms, you’ll find a laid back atmosphere with plenty of open minded discussion led by a woman whose voice is reminiscent of a yoga instructor. With that said, no one is going to form spontaneous sun salutations in the middle of class, but she might just change your outlook on studying poetry to a brighter one.
According to her online biography, Newbern was born in Germany but grew up in Washington D.C. She has received degrees from Barnard College, New York University, and the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. She went back to Warren Wilson and became their first Joan Beebe Graduate Teaching Fellow. Somewhere along the way she became a professor at Georgia College ad State University and has been here since 2005. Along with teaching poetry and other literary courses, she is also a member of the MFA faculty and has a position as the Poetry Editor of Arts and Letters, a literary magazine which was actually created by the Georgia College MFA program.
With all of her amazing credentials, she is also incredibly humble and relatable. Sentiments from her students reflect that. Senior Nia McRay mentioned, “She’s always so willing to meet with students and help in any way she can. She’s one of the most genuinely kind people you’ll ever meet.” I’ve experienced this myself when visiting her office to discuss some of my assignments. Many students are intimidated when meeting one on one with a professor for the first time, and I, being naturally shy, was no exception. Meeting with Newbern, however, is a breeze. Eventually I found myself joking with her as if I’d known her forever. It’s like pouring a cup of piping hot tea. At first you’re hesitant to drink, but after while it leaves you feeling cozy and right at home. It’s no secret how she’s gained the admiration of her students.