Every year, Dickinson chooses a recipient for the Harold and Ethel L. Stellfox Visiting Scholars and Writers campus residency. This year’s recipient is the newly appointed U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón. 

Many prominent figures, literary and otherwise, have visited Dickinson throughout its 239-year history. When the poet Robert Frost came to campus in 1959, the school would feel the impact of his visit many years later. 

According to Susan Perabo, Professor of Creative Writing, Frost was “all in” while interacting with students during his visit to Dickinson to accept the Arts Award. Jean Stellfox, an English major, was so moved by her experience with him that she decided to become an English teacher. She became a beloved, though demanding, teacher in her hometown.

Upon retirement, Stellfox was planning to travel the world, but her dreams were never realized after she was killed in a hit-and-run accident a few months later. However, she did intend to leave some extra money to Dickinson for a visiting writers program. That extra money turned into a $1.5 million gift.

This gift came with these specific instructions. Stellfox did not just want someone to come and do a reading, she wanted someone to spend time with students as Frost had with her. 

According to Perabo, finding writers who are willing to spend time and engage with students has proved difficult, but it is the single most important trait in a Stellfox writer. Perabo knew she needed to find someone, especially this year, who could be flexible and “all-in,” just as Frost had been. She knew the perfect person for the job: Ada Limón. 

“There aren’t a lot of Robert Frosts today,” she said. Poets who are popular with both students and faculty and who would be invested in connecting with students. Limón, however, fits that description.

Perabo knew Limón would be busy this year, especially with her appointment as Poet Laureate in July, but she still reached out. She told Limón the story of Miss Stellfox and Limón was moved, saying that this is just the kind of thing she would want to attend. Limón will visit campus to give a lecture and meet with students in February.