Poetry@Tech was founded in 2001 to bring the power of poetry and language into the heart of Georgia Tech’s STEM-focused campus. Built on the belief that creativity, empathy, and imagination are essential to innovation, the program invites students, faculty, and the broader public to experience poetry that challenges, delights, and connects.
The program was established through the generosity of Henry C. and Margaret T. Bourne Jr. and Ivan Allen College Advisory Board member H. Bruce McEver. Their support led to the creation of the Margaret T. and Henry C. Bourne Jr. Chair in Poetry, first held by nationally acclaimed poet Thomas Lux. Lux helped lay the foundation for what would become one of the most respected poetry programs at a technical institution in the country, integrating poetry into the curriculum and culture of Georgia Tech.
Today, Poetry@Tech continues to thrive under the leadership of current Bourne Chair Victoria Chang and Associate Director Travis Denton. The program hosts vibrant public readings, craft talks, student-centered workshops, and community outreach efforts — many of them free and open to the public. Visiting poets have included Pulitzer Prize winners, National Book Award recipients, and MacArthur Fellows, as well as emerging voices from Georgia and beyond.
With its award-winning reading series, its innovative courses in poetry and creative writing, and its long-running publication Terminus, Poetry@Tech remains a campus and community hub for language, expression, and connection.
“ It will always be our goal to bring poetry to as wide an audience as possible, to recognize poetry for its possibilities in all our lives, and to recognize those involved in the craft of writing poetry — poets as well as spoken word performers, whether accomplished, rising, or beginning — for the artists they are.
— Thomas Lux, Founding Director of Poetry@Tech and inaugural Bourne Chair in Poetry
Poetry@Tech Milestones
2001
Poetry@Tech is founded with the vision of bringing world-class poetry to Georgia Tech and the Atlanta community.
2002
Thomas Lux is named the inaugural Margaret T. and Henry C. Bourne Jr. Chair in Poetry and director of Poetry@Tech.
2002
Terminus, Poetry@Tech’s literary magazine, publishes its first issue featuring national and local voices in poetry.
2011
Poetry@Tech celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special reading event at Poets House in New York City.
2017
The Thomas Lux Poetry Award is established in memory of our beloved founding director, honoring his legacy and commitment to the art of poetry.
2018
Ilya Kaminsky is named the new director of Poetry@Tech and appointed as the Bourne Chair in Poetry.
2022
Victoria Chang becomes the third director of Poetry@Tech and Bourne Chair in Poetry.
