William Kloefkorn

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William (Bill) Kloefkorn is a Nebraska poet and educator based in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is the author of twelve collections of poetry, two short story collections, a collection of children's Christmas stories, and three memoirs. Additionally Kloefkorn is professor emeritus of English at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Kloefkorn holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas, and did additional graduate work at the University of Kansas and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Prior to teaching at Nebraska Wesleyan, Kloefkorn taught at Wichita State University and at Ellinwood High School in Ellinwood, Kansas.

In 1982, Kloefkorn was appointed State Poet of Nebraska, a position roughly equivalent to Poet Laureate. However, in 1921 the Nebraska Legislature permanently bestowed the title of Poet Laureate of Nebraska to John Neihardt, who is still recognized as holding this title.

In addition to his literary honors, Kloefkorn likes to boast that he won first place in the 1978 Nebraska Hog-Calling Championship.

[edit] Notable publications

  • At Home on This Moveable Earth (University of Nebraska Press, 2006)
  • Loup River Psalter (Spoon River Poetry Press, 2001)
  • Welcome to Carlos (Spoon River Poetry Press, 2000)