The big party is set for Friday April 27th, from 3 – 4:30 PM in the Atrium of Agricultural Hall. At the end of every year, WRAC throws a reception to celebrate the accomplishments of Professional Writing students, and especially to celebrate the graduating seniors. All students, faculty, community partners, friends, parents,and administrators are invited. There’s great food, Sparty will be there, and there will be videos of all the incredible accomplishments of PWers this past year. Thanks to Danielle DeVoss for once again designing a gorgeous invitation, which has been sent to PW community partners and friends.
PW End-of-Year Reception & Celebration
WRAC Students and Faculty Attend and Present at AWP
This year’s AWP Annual Conference–the major gathering for creative writers–took place in Chicago, IL, from February 29 – March 3. This year was the largest ever, with 10,000 people in attendance. MSU’s CAL & R&W program was represented by faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students. A typical conference “features over 450 readings, lectures, panel discussions, and forums” and is one of the largest literary conferences in North America.
Professional Writing programs are growing so quickly that there are numerous learning opportunities for both students and professors. Dr. Laura Julier, Dr. Jon Ritz along with other faculty Stephanie Amada, and Kathryn Houghton, and undergraduate Catherine McCaffrey presented a panel at AWP called “The BA in Professional Writing: The Other Undergraduate Writing Degree.”
The panel sought to specifically address creative writers and teachers in creative writing MFA programs who are thinking about what kinds of professions their graduates might enter. They talked about professional writing programs as not all that different from creative writing programs, and teaching in professional writing programs as an easy transition for teachers from creative writing courses.
The editorial interns for Fourth Genre took part in the conference by staffing the table at the Bookfair to promote the journal, and to network with other writers, literary presses, and journals. Graduate students Ana Holguin and Katie Livingston, and undergraduates Ziev Beresh, Lauren Ebelt, Kim Tweedale, Christine Scales, Katie Conley, Cat McCaffrey, and Chelsea Beck all pitched in.
The WRAC Communications Team Wants You!
It’s quite bittersweet, but it’s time for WRAC to find a new communications management team. After working for the department for the past several months, we are finally ready to pass on the reigns, and to find some wonderful, fresh faces to occupy 299 Bessey. After all, why wouldn’t you want to work at a place that allows you spend your time making creepy videos like this?
In all seriousness, we’ve been very fortunate to work for WRAC, growing and maintaining the online community. We would like to thank everyone for their help and support in our efforts.
If you’re interested in being one of the WRAC Communications Management Interns for the fall of 2012, or simply want more information, contact Dr. Laura Julier (julier@msu.edu) or Beth Keller (kellerej@gmail.com).
*Graduate students interested in Beth’s position should stay tuned for more details about applying!