Alumni Spotlight: Rangi McNeil '04
The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.
Rangi McNeil '04 was born in small town North Carolina & educated at Rice University & Columbia University School of the Arts. The Sheep Meadow Press published his first poetry collection, The Missing, in 2003. The Song Cave Press published his chapbook, Occasional Poems, in August 2015. He is a recipient of fellowships from The Poetry Project & The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. He lives in Brooklyn with his boyfriend.
Was there a specific faculty member or peer who especially inspired you while at the School of the Arts? If so, who and how?
Richard Howard. I can't adequately convey the depths of Richard's poetic & literary knowledge, but I can say that those depths are nothing compared to his kindness & the steadfastness of his encouragement & support. I wouldn't have published my first book - or perhaps still be writing poems but for the time & attention he has given me. And for the (almost) imperceptible ways in which he taught me to believe in myself & by association my work. In terms of peers, Gabrielle Calvocoressi was a supernova of kindness & insight. Her poems could consum all of the in a room & they made me worker harder. And Gaby's friendship required that I become a better version of myself.