don welch (june 3, 1932 – august 6, 2016) was an american poet and academic who was born in hastings, nebraska. the author of several published poetry collections and a regular contributor to literary magazines, welch was an english literature professor at the university of nebraska at kearney from 1959 to 1997. while there, he was awarded the distinguished paul w. reynolds and clarice kingston reynolds endowed chair in english, poetry & creative writing. in june 2001, a bronze sculpture of welch was finished and dedicated to him on the campus.