NASHVILLE — A University of Tusculum student recently added to his collection of writing awards with a first-place finish in Tennessee Magazine’s Poet’s Playground competition.
Cole Robertsen, a sophomore studying English at Tusculum in Greeneville, with a concentration in creative writing, was selected as the winner in the 19-22 age group for his poem “Walk Through My Sunset.” . The poem was published in the December edition of the magazine.
This continues a streak since 2010 in which at least one creative writing student from Tusculum has been published each semester. Wayne Thomas, dean of the College of Civic and Liberal Arts, said this steady stream of published writers demonstrates the value of a Tusculum education and the strength of the creative writing program.
The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association publishes The Tennessee Magazine. The magazine is the most circulated monthly publication in Tennessee. The magazine team strives to find the most interesting people across the state and shine a light on their unique jobs, talents and interests.
Robertsen said he submitted to the magazine three times and was published each time. He finished in first place and second place the other two times he submitted. It also received a recognition award from Walters State Community College in a creative writing contest and was featured in that institution’s journal, Among These Hills.
As a Tusculum student, Robertsen served as Associate Genre Editor for Volume 16 of The Tusculum Review, the university’s in-house international literary journal, which was published in November. He has said that poetry and analytical essays are his main writing interests.
“We are delighted, but not surprised, that Cole’s poetry has again been selected for publication in this prestigious magazine,” Thomas said. “Cole has displayed impressive writing talent at this stage of his professional development and is committed to perfecting his craft. We anticipate that he will achieve further success and become another quality writer to come out of our creative writing program.
To read Robertsen’s latest winning poem, go online to https://www.tnmagazine.org/poets-playground-dec-2020-winners/.
For more information about the university’s English program, go online to https://web.tusculum.edu/academics/programs/english/.
Drawing on a rich Presbyterian heritage and pioneering spirit, Tusculum University offers an active, experiential education in a caring Christian environment to inspire civic engagement, enrich personal lives, and equip career-ready professionals, according to school information.
Tusculum is Tennessee’s premier institution of higher education and the 28th oldest in the nation. Students are enrolled at the main campus in Greeneville, facilities in Knoxville and Morristown, and online programs.
