Today, two-time FIU alumnus Richard Blanco joined a very short list of great American poets, including Robert Frost and Maya Angelou, who have had the honor of being selected as inaugural poets. Blanco, who holds an undergraduate degree in engineering and a master’s degree in creative writing from FIU, recited One Today, an original poem he wrote for President Obama’s second inauguration.
For Panthers all around the world this shall stand as one of our proudest moments. Blanco, the son of Cuban exiles and the first Hispanic and gay inaugural poet, embodies the American dream and inspires us all.
Please join me in congratulating Blanco on the great honor of being the fifth inaugural poet.
Watch his presentation here:
Related links:
SJMC students cover presidential inauguration
Black Violin performs at official Inaugural Ball
Alumni celebrate inaugural weekend in Washington, D.C.
Panthers Karen Andre and Jacob Mathai serve on the Presidential Inaugural Committee
Proud day for FIU, it was a beautiful poem: watch, reflect and enjoy.
PRESIDENTE !!!!!!! OBAMA::::::::: SONO CONTENTISSIMO DI LEI: MI FA PIACERE, CHE STAI AL POTERE DELLA MERICA !!! LO MERITI. SEI MOLTO BRAVO ; E CI VOLEVA UNO COME LEI , COL CUORE CHE DIO TI BENEDICA ….. E VIVA LA MERICA> HAI UN BEL SALUTO DA UN MIRATORE, CON AFETTO…….. ITALIANO……….. :
Excellent poem! He told the story of the American people in such an amazing way.
Es un orgullo para los cubanos y especialmente para mi que soy profesora de FIu, que Richard haya escrito el poema de la ceremonia de la toma de posesion del presidente Obama. Adelante Richard! We are proud of you!
Outstanding
Awesome!! Go Panthers!!
Wonderful poem. True, honest, sincere, and very moving poem.
Thank you Richard for representing FIU and Latinos. Job Well Done!
A poignant, moving and sincere portrait of America. It makes me proud to be a Panther.
My friend, the husband of one of my best friends, my fellow FIU alumni, and a fellow poet. You inspire me every day. I promise this year I will stop hiding my poetry because of you. Your words to the President were incredibly deep and will ring for centuries to come. Congratulations my awesome inspiration who just so happens to be a whole lot of other interesting things too. Love to you and Mark!
I’d like to also mention that Sophomore Santiago Hernandez played in the Inauguration Parade with the Boston Crusaders. FIU Students are doing big things.
At the start of President Obama’s New Day Mr. Bianco
saw again us going in places in the mountains and rivers
saw us rushing in highways, and saw us reflecting on
empty children’s desks that miss their warmth and chatter,
their scribbling and erasing, and saw again the world’s sorrow
Al comienzo del Nuevo dia del Presidente Obama, el Sr Bianco
de nuevo nos vio iendo a lugares in las montaňas y rios
nos vio apurados en las autopistas, y nos vio refleccionando sobre
los pupitres vacios de niňos que hechan de menos su calor y charlas,
sus garabatos y borrones, y vio de nuevo el pesar del mundo.
He
Simply brilliant. An eloquent expression of humanity and the essence of the American experience.