Department of Psychology

Dr. Robert Deluty, associate dean emeritus of the Graduate School, has published a new book, “Plainly Aware.” In his review, Dr. Ronald Pies writes, “In this, his sixty-first book, Robert Deluty fulfills  Betty Smith’s admonition (quoted at the beginning of the book) to ‘Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time.’ For Deluty, this means looking at the joys and sorrows of life through a child’s eyes, even as the seasoned poet sees intimations of mortality. As with his previous work, this splendid new collection shows Deluty as playfully serious and seriously playful, balancing his trademark puckish humor with his deep insight into the human condition. In so doing, Deluty reveals–in Diana Gabaldon’s words–how ‘existence is balanced on a perfect point, like the moment of change between the dark and the light.'” And in his appraisal of the book, Dr. George Northrup states, “All poets love words, each in their own way. Robert Deluty is the grandmaster of ceremonies at a never-ending language conference, graciously and enthusiastically introducing his myriad guests, helping them discover the many unexpected ways they belong together, and prompting them to strike up creative, madcap conversation. They have, as you will, dear reader, a wonderful time in each other’s company.”

When UMBC’s physical campus reopens, “Plainly Aware” (as well as Dr. Deluty’s other books) will be available at the bookstore.