Berecka Recognized for Body of Work To Become Corpus Christi’s Poet Laureate

Recently, the City of Corpus Christi awarded a Certificate of Commendation to Del Mar College Reference Librarian Alan Berecka, naming him the Poet Laureate of Corpus Christi as part of the second annual People’s Poetry Festival. City Councilman Greg Smith made the presentation.

Berecka’s credits include three books of poetry collections—With Our Baggage (2013), Remembering the Body (2011) and The Comic Flaw (2009)—as well as two chapbooks, Each Man Has One Life (2004) and Beacons (2007). His second book, Remembering the Body, won honorable mention in poetry from the Eric Hoffer Awards.

The poet’s work has also appeared in periodicals such as the American Literary Review, The Christian Century and The Texas Review as well as anthologies such as St. Peter’s B-List (Ava Maria Press).

Berecka conceived the idea of a Coastal Bend poetry festival in 2012 with the first People’s Poetry Festival held in 2016. This year’s festival activities expanded with the introduction of the Rob Jackson Poetry Awards for high school students.

A reference librarian at DMC since 1997, Berecka holds a bachelor’s degree in literature from the University of Dallas, a Master of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of North Texas and a Master of Library Science degree from Texas Woman’s University.

Visit Berecka's website to learn more about his work at www.alanberecka.com.

IN THE PHOTO: Del Mar College Reference Librarian Alan Berecka becomes Corpus Christi’s Poet Laureate during the city’s second annual People’s Poetry Festival.