The Jeanne Hoffman Smith Center for Film & Lit at OCU

Our Let’s Talk About It session has been RESCHEDULED! Join us on MONDAY, APRIL 20TH at 6:30pm in Walker Center 151 to discuss Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac with Dr. Ken Hada.

All events are free & open to the public. We can’t wait to see you there!

Due to tonight’s inclement weather, we have made the difficult decision to postpone this evening’s Let’s Talk About It session with Dr. Ken Hada on Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac. The safety of our attendees is our top priority, and we don’t want anyone on the road in difficult conditions.

We sincerely apologize for the last-minute notice, and we are working to reschedule as soon as possible. We will be in touch with a new date shortly, and do not hesitate to reach out in the meantime with any questions.

Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe tonight!

Join us on March 31st for a FREE reading from National Book Award winner, Patricia Smith. More info here: https://www.okcu.edu/academics/schools-colleges/petree-college-of-arts-and-sciences/enrichment/film-literature/poetry-series

In partnership with we are thrilled to host a screening of Sinners (2025) with a post-film conversation featuring Dr. Karlos K. Hill, who consulted on the film, and moderated by

Details: Feb. 18th at 6:30pm at OFX
RSVP required: limited seating - link in bio. Please feel free to join the waitlist if full! 🧛‍♀️

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Join us in ONE WEEK to hear the lovely George Bilgere read! Details at https://www.okcu.edu/academics/schools-colleges/petree-college-of-arts-and-sciences/enrichment/film-literature/poetry-series
This event is free and open to the public! Can't wait to see you there!

Mythology nerds, we’ve got more for you! Come join us on Tuesday, September 16th at 6:30pm in Walker Center 151 as Dr. Harbour Winn presents Margaret Atwood’s “The Penelopiad.”

We can’t wait to see you at this session of Let’s Talk About It! All events are free and open to the public.

Mythology nerds, we've got more for you! Come join us on Tuesday, September 16th at 6:30pm in Walker Center 151 as Dr. Harbour Winn presents Margaret Atwood's "The Penelopiad."

We can't wait to see you at this session of Let's Talk About It! All events are free and open to the public.

Mythology nerds, come through! For Aug. 26, we're reading this great retelling of myths from the Trojan war and beautiful reimagining of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. The session will led by wonderful local poet and educator Jason Stephenson. Books are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis at the OCU campus library at NW 25th and N. Florida.

We're absolutely heartbroken to hear of the untimely passing of powerhouse poet Andrea Gibson, who graced the Blackbox stage at OCU for a special performance back in 2016. Wishing all strength and peace to their loved ones, and gratitude for the words and beauty that remain in their wake.

“Whenever I leave this world, whether it’s sixty years from now, I wouldn’t want anyone to say I lost some battle. I’ll be a winner that day.” – Andrea Gibson

Andrea Gibson was a winner today. On July 14th, at 4:16AM, Andrea Gibson died in their home surrounded by their wife, Meg, four ex-girlfriends, their mother and father, dozens of friends, and their three beloved dogs.

Poet Laureate of Colorado, world-touring spoken word artist, author of seven books, Calais Maine High School State Basketball Champion, and subject of the award-winning documentary, “Come See Me in the Good Light”, and so much more — Andrea Gibson accomplished much on their 49 years on this planet. Though Andrea desperately wished to have lived a longer life, they could not have possibly lived a fuller one.

Since learning they had cancer in 2021, Andrea has been a champion of finding beauty in unlikely places and gratitude in the hardest hours. Over the last four years, they danced with their diagnosis, and continually aimed their internal compass toward joy. One of the last things Andrea said on this plane was, “I fu***ng loved my life.”

Not long ago, Andrea wrote a poem titled “Love Letter From the Afterlife.” In it, they offered this line: “I am more here than I ever was before. I am more with you than I ever could have imagined.” Today, and all days forward, we hope you feel Andrea’s enormous spirit and immense presence beside you.

Meg and Heather, the authors of this post, have absolutely no idea how to encapsulate the magnitude and magnificence of a life like Andrea Gibson’s, so they intend to keep writing, to keep telling Andrea’s story, to keep Andrea alive in every way they can.

Andrea would want you to know that they got their wish. In the end, their heart was covered in stretch marks.

Andrea Gibson 8/13/75 - 7/14/25