The Words: May 2024
Parting Words: Zoë
by Zoë Roos Scheuerman ’24
In the summer of 2021, I saw a posting on JobX, Mac’s work-study portal, for a newsletter editor in the English department. I promptly emailed the listed contact – someone named Jan Beebe – with my very earnest pitch for why I should get the job. It was a shot in the dark, but Jan, or, as I addressed her until she told me to stop, Ms. Beebe, responded with an offer for a part-time job. I immediately said YES! When that part-time position unexpectedly morphed into a full-time gig writing for the Words, I had the feeling that my college life was finally falling into place after a brutal first year at the height of the pandemic. Read more of Zoë’s parting words here.
Parting Words: Patrick
by Patrick Coy-Bjork ’24
A common trend in past “Parting Words” articles by previous graduating seniors has been an acknowledgement of procrastinating writing this send-off until the last minute. I am proud to say I have joined in this tradition! I still feel daunted by the prospect of summating my Mac English experience into a single article, but I’ll give it my best shot! Read more of Patrick’s parting words here.
Parting Words: Chloë
by Chloë Moore ’24
T.S. Eliot wrote that “April is the cruelest month,” and it seems he predicted my current plight: celebrating the first real spring day by beginning this goodbye letter to the English Department. While objectively I knew this day would come, it still feels slightly surreal to formalize my farewell to this place, which has been my home away from home for the past four years. I’ve had the joy of working here since my very first day on campus. Read more of Chloë’s parting words here.
Seniors Get Standing Ovation at Spring ‘24 Capstones!
by Rabi Michael-Crushshon ‘26
Seventeen English majors, across both disciplines, Creative Writing and Literature, embarked on their capstone projects this semester. Now, as the semester comes to a hectic close filled with late nights of studying, homework, and impending deadlines, their hours of hard work have paid off! Read about the capstones here!
Farewell (but not quite): Professor Bognanni ends his time as Chair
by Ahlaam Abdulwali ’25
Professor Peter Bognanni ends his time as chair this semester and passes the baton on to Professor Matt Burgess. During Professor Bognanni’s term, the English department has grown tremendously with a large number of newly declared English majors and minors. We asked Professor Bognnani some questions about his time as chair, and he graciously answered them. Read his answers here.
Literary Salon with Sun Yung Shin and Su Hwang
by Chloë Moore ’24
On April 3rd, the English Department welcomed local poets Su Hwang and Sun Yung Shin (a Macalester alum!) to share their poetic journeys, give readings, and offer advice and insight to students. Read about this literary salon here!
An Interview with Kerry Alexander
by Sarah Tachau ’27
The spring semester has brought a symphony of exciting opportunities for visiting professor, English alumna, and co-founder of the Bad Bad Hats, Kerry Alexander. As she says a sentimental goodbye to her introductory songwriting students, Kerry is looking ahead, or should we say “abroad,” at the Bad Bad Hats’ first European tour. The Words sat down to chat with the bubbly singer-songwriter about everything from her discovery that Gen Z has heard of Owl City’s “Fireflies,” to purchasing her first set of bongos. Read the interview here!
Students and Faculty Honored at English Department End-of-Year Celebration
by Lucy Flack ’27
The end of the school year for most students means final exams, papers, and projects; but for the English Department, the end of the spring semester means our End-of-Year celebration! At this yearly celebration, we recognize students, faculty, community members, and organizations for their hard work and achievements this year. Read all about the End-of-Year celebration here!
Reagan Kimzey ‘24 at the Sigma Tau Delta Conference
by Birdie Keller ’25
Sigma Tau Delta is a US-based, international honor society for English students. Membership with Macalester’s chapter of the honor society, Alpha Rho Theta, provides an English-y community on campus, excursions into the Twin Cities literary community, and access to Sigma Tau Delta’s opportunities such as newsletters, publishing chances, and conferences. Read about Reagan Kimzey’s visit to one such conference here.
From the Mac Weekly: “Ethel Ray”: Duluth’s Untold Story
by Abby Bulger, Arts Editor
Growing up, Karen F. Nance knew her grandmother, Ethel Ray Nance, as caring, kind and full of love for her grandchildren, opting always to talk about their lives over her own. After Ethel Ray was admitted to a nursing home at the age of 90, she gifted Karen a collection of her writings about her life. After reading these pages Karen realized what an accomplished and trailblazing woman her grandmother was and set out to write a book to chronicle Ethel Ray’s experiences. Read the rest of the article here.
Craft Corner: Cassandra Wright ’25
by Birdie Keller ’25
For this month’s Craft Corner, The Words sat down with Cassandra Wright ‘25, a Creative Writing and Biology double major. Cassandra choreographed a dance piece for last fall’s dance concert at Macalester, Offerings, and has just choreographed another piece for the dance concert this semester, Shadows and Light. Read more here!
Student/Faculty Accolades
by Chloë Moore ’24
Read the monthly roundup of student and faculty achievements here…