Professor Emeritus James (Jim) Machor during a presentation on Mark Twain at the English Department’s 2016 Fall Colloquium In 2008, a special issue of Time magazine called Mark Twain “the most widely known literary figure on the planet,” dubbing him America’s “first literary superstar.” Despite their journalistic hyperbole, such comments testify to Twain’s hypercanonical status … Continue reading Faculty Spotlight: James Machor
Justin Dickinson (BA '23) Over spring break, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Costa Rica with Tanya Gonzalez and Rebecca Paz for our Latin(x) Literature course, ENGL 389. The trip was service-work oriented and was geared toward first-generation students and first-time travelers abroad. I had never left the country before the trip, but … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Justin Dickinson
Mel Hammond (MA '14) In August 2012, I drove through the golden-yellow Flint Hills for the first time. I’d applied to K-State’s Children’s Lit program because I wasn’t sure what else to do after college. I liked kid’s books and I liked school, and the thought of getting a job gave me existential dread. It … Continue reading Alumni Spotlight: Mel Hammond
Cover image for Jim Machor's new book The Mercurial Mark Twain(s): Reception, History and Iconic Authorship (Routledge, 2023) 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 to catch … Continue reading March 2023 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
Location: The sidewalk to the ECS BuildingObject: Sidewalk chalkingObservations: 1) Early evening on Wednesday (April 5), members of Sigma Tau Delta, our student honorary society, prepared a welcome surprise for us on Thursday morning: literary messages of encouragement, celebration, and spring. 2) Ranging across centuries, nations, and genres, the selected quotes remind us to use … Continue reading Found Object: Sidewalk Chalk
Lamees Al Ethari (MA '08) “The best two years of my life” seemed a bit of an over-exaggerated description, especially to the professor who was conducting my exit interview during my final days at K-State. I think that’s why he replied, something along the lines of, “I mean, I have heard good things, but the … Continue reading Alumni Spotlight: Lamees Al Ethari
Teri Jacques (BA '23) celebrates writing the last poem at the 2022 Open House K-State's Open House is happening on Saturday April 1 — and K-State English is ready! As the preview page for Open House explains: Love to read or write? Explore your next chapter with English — one of K-State’s most versatile degrees. … Continue reading Open House 2023
Cassidy Hartig (BA '24) I have a game running with myself when I tell someone my major. I’ve practically rigged it— a 90% win rate. The rules are simple: 1) tell someone I’m studying English, 2) see how many words off I am from the usual “You’re planning to teach?” Honestly, it’s an honor— teachers … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Cassidy Hartig
Program cover for the 2023 Midwest Writing Center Association Conference This year’s Midwest Writing Center Association conference theme was “Gateways Reimagined: Transforming Perspectives in the Writing Center.” With such a broad topic it was interesting to see the different ways that people “reimagined” the writing center as a gateway. For instance, some presenters imagined the … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Riley Dandurand
Cover image for Issue 108 of Quarterly West (2023), where Traci Brimhall's poem "Will & Testament" appears 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 to catch up … Continue reading February 2023 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
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