The Words: October 2021
Club Feature: A Novel Idea
Chloë Moore ’24
Looking for a new club? A way to read casually instead of just for class? Join “A Novel Idea,” Macalaester’s casual fiction reading group! Led by Jess Brown ’22 (she/her), “A Novel Idea” focuses on making reading fun again. Jess, a Political Science and Environmental Studies double major and Data Science minor, says she “was inspired to join A Novel Idea by the advertisement I saw for it, which opened with ‘do you remember when you used to read for fun?‘ I realized that I hadn’t really read a book for fun my entire first semester of college; I was too preoccupied with readings for classes, and had quite forgotten that reading for fun was an option and a good way to relax besides Netflix. In short, ‘A Novel Idea’ inspired me to read for fun again, and I wanted to be able to do the same for others.” Read more about the club…
Fall Luncheon 2021
Chloë Moore ’24
The 2021 English Department Fall Luncheon, held on Tuesday, September 22nd, was a resounding success. We were fortunate enough to have snagged one of the nicest days for the event, so students and faculty were able to gather and mingle outside in the sun. Paella and salad was provided by Paella Depot, a local food truck service, and additional desserts and drinks were prepared and served by department student workers. Read more about the luncheon…
An Evening with Stephanie Burt and Rachel Gold
Patrick Coy-Bjork ’23
This past Thursday, I got to attend the wonderful presentation given by Stephanie Burt at the Dewitt Wallace Library. Dr. Burt, who is currently teaching at Harvard, was a professor at Macalester between 2000-2007. Since then, she has written and published several poetry collections as well as a book on reading poetry (cheekily titled Don’t Read Poetry). After being introduced by current English professor Rachel Gold, Stephanie read poems from her collections Advice from the Lights, After Callimachus, and For All Mutants. My biggest takeaway from the sharing of these works was the incredible passion Burt has for whatever she is writing about. Whether it’s trans and queer identity, neurodiversity, social justice, or cartoons, she writes with both delicate care and intense purpose, making it clear that the focuses of her work have strong personal significance to her. Read more about the evening…
Chatting with Kerry Alexander of Bad Bad Hats
Alice Asch ’22
Kerry Alexander, esteemed co-founder of the band Bad Bad Hats, also happens to be an alumna of Macalester’s English Department. The Words recently caught up with Kerry over email to discuss (among other things) open mics at Dunn Bros, the T.V show Chopped, and “finding the Elton John to my Bernie Taupin.” Click here to learn more about Kerry…
English Honor Society: Semester Ahead & Introducing New Officers
Kira Schukar ’22
This year, English Honor Society (EHS) is back with community events, book talks, and volunteer opportunities! The annual fall induction dinner will take place in late October or early November and celebrate the newest EHS members. Next spring, Apps & Alums will be back with the perfect opportunity to network with Macalester alumni, professors, and students while snacking on delicious appetizers. Read more about EHS…
Hey, What’s a Communications Liaison, Anyway?
Dalton Greene ’22
In last month’s inaugural edition of The Words for the 2021-2022 academic year, we introduced the English department student workers and announced that I, Dalton Greene, will be serving as the department’s first-ever Communications Liaison. Curious readers may have learned of this new development and wondered, “Hey, what’s a Communications Liaison, anyway?” And those readers are in luck, because I’m here to give the complete rundown on this new role! Read more about the pearl of the English department…
Wordplay!
Zoe Roos Scheuerman ’24
This month, The Words is excited to feature Teddy D. Holt ‘22 (he/him). Teddy is a creative writing undergraduate at Macalester College. Their work is steeped in a deep curiosity about the land and their relationship to it, and they write often about mental illness, violence, and living in a body and world that feels haunted more times than not. They hail originally from Kickapoo, Osage, and Wichita land in central Oklahoma, but live and work now on Dakota land in Saint Paul, MN. We hope you enjoy his short story, “Night Phlox”! Read Teddy’s work…