An International Poetry Slam is planned for Thursday, Nov. 16, at 4 p.m. during which Coastal Carolina University students and others will read their original works of poetry at the James J. Johnson Auditorium on campus. The event is part of a series of events being held during International Week (Nov. 13-16) and is free and open to the public.

"The poetry contest and reading encourages interaction between CCU students and the larger community to raise awareness of global issues and promote understanding across cultural lines," said Carol Osborne, director of academic and community outreach at CCU.

The event will feature a total of 15 submissions from three different groups of students: Horry County middle and high schools, Coastal Carolina University and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Three Horry County students, 11 Coastal students and one OLLI student will read their work, and one winner in each category will be awarded a $50 prize.

The students were limited to 50 lines of words with a uniform theme: international or global issues, experiences or understanding.

After the submissions were sent in, a committee of judges selected the finalists in each category. These finalists were invited to read their poems at the poetry slam.

The International Poetry Slam was coordinated by the Center for Global Engagement and the International Programs Committee at CCU for International Week, which is recognized worldwide as an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange.

CCU participates in a joint initiative by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education by holding a series of events on campus to prepare Americans for a global environment. The poetry slam is one of these events.

CCU's Center for Global Engagement aims to coordinate and facilitate the efforts of individuals and departments on campus to transform the world through travel abroad, strategic programming to raise global perspective on our campus and in our community, the cultivation of a supportive environment for learners and leaders from all parts of the world, and sustainable strategic partnerships that enhance the resource position of the university to achieve enhanced global engagement.

For more information, contact Osborne at osborne@coastal.edu or call 843-349-2658.