Rylan Jackson (BA '26) AI IS THE DEATH OF MEDIOCRITY AND THE LIFEBLOOD OF EXCELLENCE Imagine that I just cleared my throat. Those guttural sounds of clogged up mucus being shredded away, like that of a garbage disposal. Alright. Image completed? Then strap yourselves in and clench your toes: we’re talking about the dreaded topic … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Rylan Jackson
Catherine Torkelson (BA '24) As I approached the final stretch of my undergraduate degree, a certain question started looming, one I had been pointedly avoiding: what next? There are so many possible destinations for an English major—technical writing, screen writing, magazine editing, library sciences, law school, and so much more—but I didn’t know which one … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Catherine Torkelson
Traci Brimhall poses with her contribution to the collection of poems "Poetry Harvest: Poems for the Kansas State Fair" (2024) Each month during the academic year, we assemble a newsletter of the department's recent publications, presentations, announcements, and awards. We're happy to recognize the recent successes in research, scholarship, and creative activity outlined below. Want … Continue reading September 2024 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
Nichole Maryse Harris (BA '25) (photo by Sophie Osborn) Telling people my major in college has become a repetitive process. There’s a moment where they ask me, innocently and habitually curious, and there’s a half-second where I debate whether or not I should lie. Sometimes, depending on the person, I do. Old people at work, … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Nichole Maryse Harris
Banned Books Week 2024 (Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association) As I feel the nostalgic and contemplative air of Fall take affect on me, I reach for my well-loved copy of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. Vuong’s introspective and evocative prose transcends me into a world of understanding oneself through the … Continue reading Recognizing Banned Books Week 2024 at K-State
Ferris wheels and funnel cakes. Showing goats and eating hotdogs. Live music and prize vegetables. These are some of the big draws for the Kansas State Fair, held every September in Hutchinson, KS. But these are also great subjects for poems. This year at the Kansas State Fair, there will be 20 poems about displays … Continue reading Poetry Harvest: Poems at the State Fair
Cover for Anne Longmuir's John Ruskin and the Victorian Woman Writer (Routledge, 2025) Each month during the academic year, we assemble a newsletter of the department's recent publications, presentations, announcements, and awards. The issue for September showcases a greater range of research, scholarship, and creative activity that our faculty and students have shared beyond Kansas … Continue reading Summer 2024 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
Autumn trees by the English Counseling Services Building (November 2023) The Fall 2024 semester is underway -- and we're looking forward to some cool temperatures and cool events ahead! This semester, many of our events will be Hyflex (in-person with a concurrent streaming option), so we can accommodate colleagues and students who may not be … Continue reading Fall Preview
Riley Brokeshoulder (BA '25) Through the McNair Scholars Program I was able to participate in the eight-week summer research internship and craft a collection of flash nonfiction essays, with the help of my mentor Dr. Traci Brimhall. For this project, I knew I wanted to center the essays around grief and to conduct research by … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Riley Brokeshoulder
Emmett Spaw (BA '26) My name is Emmett Spaw. Fun fact: I’m the guy in the photo. Yes, the one staring blankly into the camera all professional-like. Here’s a second fun fact: I’m an English major. Fun fact number three: I made the second fun fact up. That’s right, I just behaved in an intentionally … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Emmett Spaw
K-State English 