WEBVTT

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This simple and direct truth
sometimes has many facets,

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and our love of and
appreciation for Steve Orlen

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is one of those truths.

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With this in mind, I would
like to thank all of you who

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have come to pay tribute
to Steve and his many roles

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as poet, friend,
colleague, and teacher.

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20 people, friends and alums
from all over the country,

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as well as our own colleagues,
students, and neighbors,

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are here to share memories
and read Steve's poems.

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20 more people at least have
helped behind the scenes,

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in particular Gail Marcus-Orlen,
Cybele Knowles, Annie Guthrie,

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Karen Kellen, Christopher
Nelson, Sarah Kortemeier,

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Kate Bernheimer,
and Brent Hendricks,

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among many others,
including quite a few givers

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of champagne.

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I'd like to especially
thank Ander Monson

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as well and the
New Michigan Press

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for publishing the
broadside for this occasion

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and offering one as a gift
to everyone here today.

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I'm also grateful to
Jonathan VanBallenberghe

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for creating the video tribute
will play after the readings.

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After this nine-minute
video, we'll

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reconvene outside
for a final toast.

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On behalf of the MFA program,
which Steve helped to found,

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and for which he provided
heart and soul, and the Poetry

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Center, I welcome you and
invite you to sit back

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and remember and be with Steve.

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If you could at this time
turn off your cell phones.