Seamus Heaney is pictured speaking at ե֭’s commencement in 1994.
Acclaimed Irish poet Seamus Heaney, who died at age 74, was remembered fondly by ե֭ faculty and former students for his strong ties to the university and for his commencement address here in 1994.
Fellow poet , professor of English and director of creative writing at ե֭, called Heaney a longtime friend of the university.
He said he received several emails from former students who fondly remember interactions with Heaney during off-campus study group lectures in London and in lectures at ե֭. Letters to the ե֭ Scene from alumni who met Heaney have already been received.
Heaney first lectured to ե֭ students for a 1969 London study group directed by English Professor Bruce Berlind. He also lectured for Berlind’s London classes in the ’70s and for the late Professor Terrence Des Pres’ London study group in the early ’80s.
Balakian was able to bring Heaney to James Joyce’s Martello Tower in London for lectures to ե֭ students that focused on William Butler Yeats.
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Heaney read periodically at ե֭, and, in 1994, he spoke at commencement and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Addressing the Class of ’94 on “Faith, Hope and Poetry,” Heaney said: “Faith, hope and poetry are all manifestations of creative mind, that uniquely human gift . . . held in special trust by those privileged to receive a liberal education at a university like ե֭.”
“Heaney had a profound impact on many ե֭ students, and it was a relationship we were all grateful for and that continues to have a legacy,” said Balakian.
Did you ever meet Heaney while you were at ե֭? Please share any recollections in the comments section below.