Featured Teacher: Chard DeNiord Inspires Students through his Work

Chard deNiord is known to many as a distinguished professor of creative writing and poetry, but it may be news to the Providence College community that he has published his three books of poetry, including his most recent book entitled, Night Mowing, through the University of Pittsburgh Press.

"It is primarily pastoral and romantic poems that address the pressure of our times," said deNiord.

Night Mowing has been received with tremendous acclaim, and was included in Stephen King's top 10 favorite books of 2006. The new book's cover displays a painting by a local artist near deNiord's home in Putney, Vt. The title Night Mowing is described by the painting on the book's front-cover and depicks deNiord's neighbor who often mows his farm fields in the middle of the night.

DeNiord attended the Kent School in Kent, Conn., for his secondary education and married soon after graduation. He and his wife then moved back to his hometown in Virginia, where he attended Lynchburg College and graduated with a major in religious studies. He then decided to pursue his interest in religious studies by attending the Yale University Divinity School.

"I was accepted as a candidate for ordination at an Episcopalian church, but was advised to work for several years before joining the ministry," said deNiord.

Soon after, deNiord worked in New Haven, Conn. in a mental hospital as both an inpatient and outpatient clinician evaluating, treating, and doing group work.

Soon, deNiord began to focus more on publishing and entered an M.F.A. program.

"I applied to the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop and I was accepted in 1983. It was a big break for my writing," said deNiord.

By this time, deNiord and his wife had a son, Soren, and a daughter, Rayna. He and his family moved to Iowa City while he completed his graduate studies.

"I spent two and a half years while I got through the program. I studied with terrific teachers such as Gerald Stern and Jorie Graham. At that point I had to make another big decision. I left mental health and the ministry and decided I would pursue teaching." said deNiord.

After Iowa, deNiord accepted a job at The Gunnery in Washington, Conn. and taught for four years until he accepted a new job at the Putney School in Putney, Vt. as a teacher of Philosophy and comparative religions. He and his family moved to Putney where he taught for eight years.

In 1989, deNiord's first book of poetry, Asleep in the Fire, was published by the University of Alabama Press.

DeNiord went on sabbatical in 1998 at the Putney School, and came to Providence College as an adjunct professor of creative writing. A full time position then opened and deNiord became a regular professor in 2000 and received tenure in 2004.

"I've enjoyed my time here immensely. I love my classes and students," said deNiord.

Along with his outside work, deNiord teaches Contemporary American Poetry, Creative Writing in Poetry, the Literature of Spiritual Crisis, and has taught Intro to Literature and Honors DWC. throughout the years. He also writes various book reviews and essays and has recently finished a collection called The Music Upstairs.

"He frequently met with me and the other members of the class to offer encouragement and constructive criticism that in no way came off as insulting or condescending. He really takes pride in the improvement of his students and makes a conscious effort to get to know each one outside of the classroom. At the beginning of this semester, he saw me in the library and came over just to see how my break had been and check up on how things were going with the semester so far. Inside the classroom, he always makes the atmosphere as laid back as possible, which I feel makes the learning environment much more open and welcoming," said Talia Pinzari '10.

Students continuously express their gratitude to Professor deNiord as a favorite and inspirational professor.

"After three years at PC, Professor deNiord is one of the most genuine and kind professors I've ever had and one who truly cares about his students. Not only is he knowledgeable in his field, but he seems to really understand what students will take out of a class at college," said Kiley Taylor '09. "He's always there for advice whether it is about a specific assignment, about your career, or about life in general. After you leave class, not only do you feel like you understand the specific material that is assigned, but you really understand the thoughts and feelings that are put into that material. I would recommend him as a professor to anyone no matter what their major is or what their interests are."

"Chard is completely interested in you as both a student and a person. He would rather sit and discuss a paper with you for ten minutes and spend the next twenty on getting to know you. I've never had a teacher bring in homemade pumpkin pie, either! He encourages you to learn and inspires you to want to learn more," said Audrey LeBrun '08.

One of the deNiord's most impressive accomplishments was his creation of a graduate program in poetry at New England College. As the only M.F.A. program in poetry in the country, deNiord created a unique and interesting curriculum. While deNiord no longer directly runs the program, he was in charge for seven years. The program started with only nine students, but has grown to 53 today.

Today, deNiord splits his time between Putney, Vt. and Providence, R.I. He has published three books of poetry including Asleep in the Fire, Sharp Golden Thorn (Marsh Hawk Press, 2003), and the recent Night Mowing.