Recognizing Banned Books Week 2025 at K-State

Banned Books Week 2025 (Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association) Last night, I sat on my bed with the windows open, it was the first chilly Fall evening of the year. I'd felt the crisp air sliding over my skin and gently fluttering the pages of my reading journal. I was finishing filling in … Continue reading Recognizing Banned Books Week 2025 at K-State

Alumni Spotlight: Kevin Rabas

Kevin Rabas (MA '98) In Jonathan’s Office             for Jonathan Holden On Jonathan’s office wall, a chalkboardwith a big egg drawn. He motioned,and I sat down among the stacksof books and papers. One fan gustand the room would lift uplike a pigeon flock. Jonathanasked me if I spoke German,and I said I had been to … Continue reading Alumni Spotlight: Kevin Rabas

In Memoriam: Peter Elbow (April 14, 1935 – February 6, 2025)

On the night of September 25, the Graduate Concentration in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (WRTC) sponsored a virtual event to celebrate the life of Peter Elbow (Professor Emeritus, U Mass Amherst), who died on February 6 at the age of 89. Elbow was a towering figure in the teaching of writing, and many of … Continue reading In Memoriam: Peter Elbow (April 14, 1935 – February 6, 2025)

Alumni Spotlight: Molly Hamm-Rodriguez

Molly Hamm-Rodriguez (BA '10) When I tell people that I am from Kansas, they are usually surprised. How did I end up in a career focused on comparative and international education, given where I’m from? In response, I always point to my time as an English major at K-State. My interest in understanding the human … Continue reading Alumni Spotlight: Molly Hamm-Rodriguez

From the Archive: Grad Student Spotlight: Hannah Rollison

Hannah Rollison (MA ’22) (Photo: 2022) Since our blog debuted in 2017, we have published 500+ posts.  While some of you may have been with us from the start (thank you, loyal readers!), others may have joined us more recently. So, we're highlighting periodically some of the posts that have garnered a lot of views … Continue reading From the Archive: Grad Student Spotlight: Hannah Rollison

Kansas Book Festival 2025: Tribute to Jonathan Holden

Saturday's Kansas Book Festival celebrated books, readers, and the art of making meaning of our lives. My primary purpose for attending was to hear a tribute to Jonathan Holden, first poet laureate of Kansas (2005-2007) and Kansas State English professor from 1978-2013. Following Jonathan's death on December 20, 2024, Tom Averill began to contact some … Continue reading Kansas Book Festival 2025: Tribute to Jonathan Holden

Found Object: Argiope Aurantia

Location: Southeast Door, English Counseling Services BuildingObject: Post-It NoteObservations: 1) Last Friday (Sept 12), a spider moved in to a corner space outside the ECS Building, between the Southeast door and the exterior wall. Its arrival was announced by a Post-It note reading "BEWARE OF SPIDER (PLS LEAVE ALONE)," and an arrow pointing down.... to … Continue reading Found Object: Argiope Aurantia

From the Archive: Alumni Spotlight: Malorie Wagner

Malorie Wagner (BA ’18) (Photo: Feb 2019) Since our blog debuted in 2017, we have published 500+ posts.  While some of you may have been with us from the start (thank you, loyal readers!), others may have joined us more recently. So, we're highlighting periodically some of the posts that have garnered a lot of … Continue reading From the Archive: Alumni Spotlight: Malorie Wagner

Home on the Range: Poems of Kansas Landscape and Food at the 2025 State Fair

Saturday, September 6th was a delicious afternoon down in Hutchinson as poets gathered at the Kansas State Fair to read poems about Kansas foods. The event was to help celebrate the book Eat Your Words: A Kansas Poetry Cookbook, which collected 20 recipes from chefs across the State of Kansas and 20 poems in response to … Continue reading Home on the Range: Poems of Kansas Landscape and Food at the 2025 State Fair