Worthington City Council approved the creation of a Poet Laureate position following a recommendation from the America 250–Worthington Steering Committee. Worthington’s Poet Laureate will help commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026 and the 225th anniversary of Worthington in 2028 through community outreach and creative programming. Dr. Susann Moeller was appointed to serve as Worthington’s first Poet Laureate, beginning her term on January 1, 2026.

Dr. Moeller is an award-winning bilingual poet and serves as Vice President of the Ohio Poetry Association and Vice Chancellor of the National Federation of Poetry Societies. She has edited the Open Earth eco-poetry anthologies and founded both Eat Our Words (EOW), a poetry performance group, and the Eco Poets of Ohio Collective (EPOC), believing that art and nature are inseparable. She also serves as a judge for several state poetry competitions, including the Ohioana Poetry and Children’s Book Awards.

More information about Dr. Moeller and upcoming America 250–Worthington events will be shared in early 2026.