The Words, April 2019
Home Magazine Showcases Perspectives on Internationalism
Jen Katz ’19
When Annie Sumpunkulapak ’19 first came to Macalester, she felt isolated and confused. As an international student from Thailand, Sumpunkulapak felt a distinct distance between herself and domestic students. Her friend Xavier Xin ’20 had a similar experience. “We met during our first year when everything was confusing and we found it really hard to adjust to Macalester as international students,” Sumpunkulapak said. Read more about Home Magazine…
Calling All Fandroids: Janelle Monáe Pop Talk Approaches
Alex Harrington ’19
If you’ve never been to one of the English Department’s Pop Talks, allow me to set the scene: it’s a Wednesday evening, the sun is setting. The Old Main fourth floor lounge, the most picturesque nook on campus, is warm as the shadows settle in. Friends gather at tables, laughing around mouths full of popcorn and Italian soda. Your favorite professor grabs a last bite of popcorn before calling the room to attention. The topic is something you haven’t encountered in a class, but that you’ve probably heard a lot about. Comic books or a recent movie open up and become valuable sites of academic inquiry as the professor shares their insights. Laughing resumes, this time around a conversation that ends only once people have to pack up for night classes. In short, Pop Talks are super fun, and if you haven’t been to any, you’re missing out. Learn more about Janelle Monáe and the upcoming Pop Talk…
Alumni Spotlight on Sarah Richman ’16
Alex Harrington ’19
The Words is thrilled to announce the beginning of a new feature celebrating English Department alumni. Kicking us off is one of our very own, Sarah Richman ’16. At Mac, Sarah majored in creative writing and international studies. She holds a special place in our hearts as an alumna of not only the English Department, but also The Words. Please enjoy a look into what Sarah’s been up to in the post-grad world.
English in the Vibrant Twin Cities
Sophie Hilker ’20
One of the many advantages of being a student at Macalester College is the location. Close to both downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis and boasting two bus stops to major transit routes, Macalester’s location makes engagement with the larger Twin Cities area easier than ever. This month, The Words spoke with various members of the English Department to see how they took advantage of the opportunities these vibrant cities have to offer. Read about Mac in the Cities…
Spring Capstone Projects: A Preview
Miriam Moore-Keish ’19
Every semester, senior English majors complete their capstone projects. Every semester, sleep and free time decrease and heart rates and literary outputs from Old Main increase. After participating in a literature capstone course in the fall, I was excited to catch up with creative writing majors Brynna Davis ’19 and Koada Heacock ’19 to see what new literature they are creating and what advice they have for any future generations of English seniors. This interview has been edited for clarity and concision. Read about this semester’s capstones…
Wordplay
Sophie Hilker ’20
This month, The Words is so grateful and excited to showcase the work of English minor Albert Lee ’20. Catfished from Honolulu, Hawai’i with a financial aid package, Albert Lee is a junior at Macalester College. An Asian studies major and creative writing minor, his writing is inspired by larger questions about postmemory, diasporic intimacy, and Asian-futurism. Essentially, ‘How beautiful does the world need to be before I stop wanting to leave it?’ Currently, he is reading Ocean Vuong’s intensely fragile novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. He hopes he can one day connect to the pathos within the human condition as Ocean does so tenderly. Read Albert’s poetry…
Newsletter Staff
Senior Editor
Alex Harrington ’19
Jen Katz ’19
Associate Editors
Sophie Hilker ’20
Miriam Moore-Keish ’19
Social Media Strategist
Malcolm Cooke ’21
