Poetry Society of Indiana's Premier Poet
The PSI Premier Poet has been a position of honor within our organization since 1945. In recent PSI tradition, the Premier Poet serves for three years, from fall gathering to fall gathering. A list of past Premier Poets can be found at the bottom of this webpage.
Selection of PSI's Premier Poet is made by a committee of the current President, First Vice President, and the serving Premier Poet. Members may nominate another PSI poet member (and/or may self-nominate), and/or the committee may select members they feel are deserving of the three-year position.
Basic Duties:
The Premier Poet conducts the Spring Fling PSI Members Only contest and works with the board on other projects. They also may help with community readings or other events.
Selection of PSI's Premier Poet is made by a committee of the current President, First Vice President, and the serving Premier Poet. Members may nominate another PSI poet member (and/or may self-nominate), and/or the committee may select members they feel are deserving of the three-year position.
Basic Duties:
The Premier Poet conducts the Spring Fling PSI Members Only contest and works with the board on other projects. They also may help with community readings or other events.
PSI Announces a New Premier Poet, Nancy simmonds 2025
Congrats to PSI's new Premier Nancy Simmonds!
| new_premier_poet_announcement_2022_parting_remarks.pdf |
Previous Duties:
The Premier Poet formerly conducted the PSI Members Only Newsletter Contest with each issue of newsletter, awarding First Place $9, Second Place $6, and Third Place $3, and three Honorable Mentions. Premier Poet sent each first place poem to the President and Website Coordinator to publish on the website and in the next newsletter. Winning poems were then published in PSI's annual Ink To Paper. Traditionally the Premier Poet has presented workshops at the Fall Rendezvous and Spring Fling Conventions.
The Premier Poet formerly conducted the PSI Members Only Newsletter Contest with each issue of newsletter, awarding First Place $9, Second Place $6, and Third Place $3, and three Honorable Mentions. Premier Poet sent each first place poem to the President and Website Coordinator to publish on the website and in the next newsletter. Winning poems were then published in PSI's annual Ink To Paper. Traditionally the Premier Poet has presented workshops at the Fall Rendezvous and Spring Fling Conventions.
Past PSI Premiere Poets
Jenny Kalahar (October 2022-Fall 2025)
Sarah E. Morin (October 2019 – October 2022)
Michael Erdelen (October 2016 – October 2019)
Mary Couch (October 2013 – October 2016)
Cecil Tresslar (October 2010 – October 2013)
Peggy Martin (October 2007 – October 2010)
Carol Ogdon Floyd (2004 – October 2007)
Glenna Glee Jenkins (2001 – 2003)
Esther Towns (1998 – 2000)
Jeanne Losey (1993 – 1997)
Dr. J.C. Bacala (1991 – 1992)
Paula Fehn (1989 – 1990)
Dena Adams (1987 – 1988)
Kay (Kinnaman) Sims (1985 – 1986)
Esther Alman (1983 – 1984)
Vivian Pierson Ramsey (1981 – 1982)
Glenna Glee Jenkins (1979 – 1980)
Arthur Franklin Mapes named 1977 by House Concurrent Resolution 63)
Laverne Hanson Brown (1976 – 1977)
Frances Brown Price (1974)
Florence Helen McGaughey (1973)
Mary Simmons (1972)
Marjorie Sea Fortmeyer (1971)
Dr. Earl Marlott (1970)
Paul Startzman (1969)
Mildred Musgrave Shartle (1968)
Elsie Startzman (1967)
Frances Brown Price (1966)
Glen Galbraith (1965)
Lloyd Whitehead (1964)
Mable Skeen (1963)
Mildred Musgrave (1962)
Carl Stader (1961)
Carl Stader (1960)
Clarence O. Adams (1959)
Jeannette Vaughn Konley (1958)
Gwen Robert Boyer (1957)
Samuel S. Biddle (1956)
Nellie Baldwin Rudser (1955)
Thelma Howell Porter (1954)
Myrl G. New (1953)
Mable Newman (1952)
Alma C. Mahan (1951)
Ollah Eloise Toph (1950)
Mina Morris Scott (1949)
Effie Lydia Fisher (1948)
William Chitwood (1947)
Florence Marie Taylor (1946)
Mary Hagler LeMaster (1945)
Jenny Kalahar (October 2022-Fall 2025)
Sarah E. Morin (October 2019 – October 2022)
Michael Erdelen (October 2016 – October 2019)
Mary Couch (October 2013 – October 2016)
Cecil Tresslar (October 2010 – October 2013)
Peggy Martin (October 2007 – October 2010)
Carol Ogdon Floyd (2004 – October 2007)
Glenna Glee Jenkins (2001 – 2003)
Esther Towns (1998 – 2000)
Jeanne Losey (1993 – 1997)
Dr. J.C. Bacala (1991 – 1992)
Paula Fehn (1989 – 1990)
Dena Adams (1987 – 1988)
Kay (Kinnaman) Sims (1985 – 1986)
Esther Alman (1983 – 1984)
Vivian Pierson Ramsey (1981 – 1982)
Glenna Glee Jenkins (1979 – 1980)
Arthur Franklin Mapes named 1977 by House Concurrent Resolution 63)
Laverne Hanson Brown (1976 – 1977)
Frances Brown Price (1974)
Florence Helen McGaughey (1973)
Mary Simmons (1972)
Marjorie Sea Fortmeyer (1971)
Dr. Earl Marlott (1970)
Paul Startzman (1969)
Mildred Musgrave Shartle (1968)
Elsie Startzman (1967)
Frances Brown Price (1966)
Glen Galbraith (1965)
Lloyd Whitehead (1964)
Mable Skeen (1963)
Mildred Musgrave (1962)
Carl Stader (1961)
Carl Stader (1960)
Clarence O. Adams (1959)
Jeannette Vaughn Konley (1958)
Gwen Robert Boyer (1957)
Samuel S. Biddle (1956)
Nellie Baldwin Rudser (1955)
Thelma Howell Porter (1954)
Myrl G. New (1953)
Mable Newman (1952)
Alma C. Mahan (1951)
Ollah Eloise Toph (1950)
Mina Morris Scott (1949)
Effie Lydia Fisher (1948)
William Chitwood (1947)
Florence Marie Taylor (1946)
Mary Hagler LeMaster (1945)