DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University’s department of writing, linguistics and creative process will present a reading by faculty poets Dr. James Scrimgeour, Irene Sherlock, Lynne Paris-Purtle, Elizabeth Cohen and Dr. Brian Clements to celebrate National Poetry Month in April. The event will be at 3 p.m. on Monday April 13, in Alumni Hall on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. It will be free and the public is invited.

The participating faculty members will read original works. Clements, coordinator of the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Professional Writing program at WestConn, has authored and edited several books, including Colombian Poetry Prize-winning “Disappointed Psalms.” Paris-Purtle has taught writing and literature classes at WestConn for more than 26 years. She recently reviewed the manuscript of the seventh edition of “The Bedford Handbook.”

Scrimgeour has published seven books of poetry and more than 200 poems in anthologies and periodicals. He also has provided numerous public readings of his work, including a presentation at the International Conference on Poetry and History. Cohen has been published in magazines and newspapers, including Rolling Stone, Newsweek and The New York Times. She recently had a book of her poems published.

Sherlock, associate director of University Publications and Design at WestConn, has had her poems, essays, short stories and plays published in many literary magazines and several anthologies. “I’m so glad we’re having this series of events in celebration of National Poetry Month,” she said. “I am always so heartened by those who come to hear us read.”

For more information, call the M.F.A. in Professional Writing Office at (203) 837-8878.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.