English Department News

Professor Tim Connolly: from Journalist to DA Spokesman

by Monica Sager Timothy Connolly teaches news writing at Clark University. The position truly encompasses his career for the past forty plus years. “I learned how to read before going to school by reading newspapers at home,” Connolly said. “My family was a newspaper reading family.” His family received the Pittsville Union each morning and…

Regie Gibson’s “Letter and Spirit: The Rants, Chants, and Coos of a Literary Musician”

By Monica Sager Regie Gibson is not just a lecturer at Clark University or the head instructor for the Mass Poetry “Poets in Schools Program.” The widely-loved poet is also a literary performer who has presented across the United States, Cuba, and Europe. Clark students were welcomed to hear Gibson’s poetry April 22 for an…

Why did so many Clark Employees Major in English?

Curious about the number of Clark employees who use skills related to the English major, we reached out via email to Clark employees to see who had majored in English as an undergrad. We were pleased at the variety of responses we received. Interestingly, the English major was useful in a variety of contexts. Why…

A Clarkie Reflects on Presenting at the 51st Annual NeMLA Convention

Azariah Kurlantzick reflects on presenting their honors thesis at the 51st Annual NeMLA Convention, the final event they attended before Clark shut down.As a senior, it’s easy to feel like I’m losing a lot over the next few months. Graduation is online, Senior Week is canceled, my final Spring Fling took place virtually. I have…

Professor Karen Osborn on Writing Her Novel, THE MUSIC BOOK

New York City-based writer Linda Shockley speaks with Clark University Professor and author Karen Osborn on her fifth published novel, THE MUSIC BOOK.By Linda Shockley Congratulations on the publication of your fifth novel, THE MUSIC BOOK. I think this woman musician in the male preserve of chamber music in the 1950s is a fascinating tale.…

Q&A Commentary: Reflections on the Elizabeth Lindsay Rogers Poetry Reading and Workshop

Professor Mandy Gutmann-Gonzalez and students reflect on their experience attending the Elizabeth Lindsay Rogers poetry reading and workshop this past February, speaking to the importance of events such as these and sharing work of their own.Can you start by telling us a little bit about the Elizabeth Lindsey Rogers poetry reading and workshop? M.G: The…

A Note of Inspiration from Professor Kourtney Senquiz: Earning her Ph.D. and the Importance of Academic Support

Professor Kourtney Senquiz speaks on the academic support she received while completing her Ph.D. as a first-generation college student. February 18th, what would have been Toni Morrison’s 89th birthday, I defended my dissertation, The African American Gothic Double, and earned my Ph.D. from the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at UMass Amherst. My dissertation…