Renowned poet to speak on campus

By Chris Ledermuller
Daily Forty-Niner

James Ragan, an internationally recognized poet and program director of the University of Southern California's Professional Writing Program, will read selections from his works tonight at 7 in the Faculty Development Center.

"He's widely known as an international ambassador for poetry," said Stephen Cooper, coordinator of the creative writing program at Cal State Long Beach. "He's a master of language. He's lived, taught and performed his poetry around the world."

Cooper described Ragan's work as "emotionally immediate and engaged with the issues that confront humans."

Ragan, Cooper said, has read before former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel. His works have also been translated into 12 languages.

Ragan is the author of "The Hunger Wall," "Lusions" and "In the Talking Hours." Cooper said Ragan has a background in film production as well.

The Internet Movie Database lists Ragan's credits as assistant producer and first assistant director of "Where the River Runs Black," first assistant director of "Endangered Species," production manager of "Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI" and unit production manager of "Darrow."

Ragan was invited to readas part of an ongoing series presenting literary figures at CSULB.

"He's been at the top of our list for a long time," Cooper said.

Last month's guest reader was "The Girl in the Flammable Skirt" author Aimee Bender.

Tonight's reading at the Faculty Development Center, on the fifth floor of the library, is free and open to students, faculty and the general public.