A year into the Pandemic, Rachel Lloyd (Class of 2020) reflects on the coming of spring. This piece is a sequel to “Less Pomp, More Circumstance” (published here last June), which details Rachel’s experience of having a driveway graduation. Odilon Redon, The Chariot of Apollo (series) Read “Less Pomp, More Circumstance” here. A year later,…
by Rachel Lloyd Like most (if not all) of Clark’s 2020 graduates, I spent a large part of Sunday May 24th, the date of our virtual commencement, in front my computer. I had my laptop in front of me, but from my parents’ converted-garage, where I have been living since the start of this…
Dean Esther Jones explains the ways science fiction can benefit young readers, especially during Covid-19 times. Young people who are “hooked” on watching fantasy or reading science fiction may be on to something. Contrary to a common misperception that reading this genre is an unworthy practice, reading science fiction and fantasy may help young people cope, especially…
Clark Alum Lee V. Gaines writes on the conflicting emotions that arose after receiving an award during Covid-19, and rallying pride as best she can.I recently learned I won an award. I received my first ever regional Edward R. Murrow award for best news series. Now, I’m up for a national award, which is cool.…
Olivia Simonds reflects on her time in Brooklyn this Spring during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the rain, the mailman looks like a painting. He is dressed in blue, leaning against a red wall beneath a cherry blossom, the bottom half of his face hidden behind an N95 respirator mask. His eyes are deep and serious,…
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.…
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…
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…
Olivia Simonds revisits Michael Carolan’s creative writing course, which is now engaging with the environment and confronting reality.By Olivia Simonds It’s gray and raining on a Monday as students slowly file into Michael Carolan’s Creative Writing Nonfiction class. They are a reserved group of eight, but present nonetheless. The room hums with anticipation. When I…
Olivia Simonds writes on the importance of English Majors in our modern global economy.It could be argued that in English majors’ down-time—from literary essays, critical readings and textual analysis—they are often met with the moral dilemma of where such studies will take them, perhaps instigated by their fellow STEM majors, a prying but caring parent,…