Footnotes, Issue 3, Spring 2009
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Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Footnotes: Department of English Newsletter (2008-2012) English Spring 2009 Footnotes, Issue 3, Spring 2009 Department of English Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/english_news Part of the English Language and Literature Commons WMU ScholarWorks Citation Department of English, "Footnotes, Issue 3, Spring 2009" (2009). Footnotes: Department of English Newsletter (2008-2012). 4. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/english_news/4 This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by the English at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Footnotes: Department of English Newsletter (2008-2012) by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact wmu- [email protected]. 3Footnotes A Newsletter for Friends of the Department of English 2009 Distinguished Scholar Robert Bradley In 1951 Robert Bradley graduated cum “Going to Western has really made a difference laude from the College of Education with a major in my life,” said Bradley, “I was an outcast at Bloomfield in English Literature and minors in History and Hills High School and really found myself at Western. I am French; he also received the George Sprau award proud to have graduated from there.” in English. Sixty years later Bradley returns to Bradley will speak at the annual Department Western Michigan University to receive the English Awards and Recognition Ceremony that will be held on Department’s Distinguished Scholar Award. April 15. “I feel quite good to have my teaching ca- -Aly Worden reer recognized,” said Bradley. “I’m very pleased.” For more on Robert Bradley See Alumni Book Reviews on During his time as a student at Western, page 5 Bradley was highly influenced by one particular professor, Dr.William Brown. “Dr. Brown was so enthusiastic about whatever subject he was teaching that you would also get excited and want to study that subject yourself. I took more classes with him than any other professor.” Mr. Bradley recently retired from a career of teaching high school English and History, a career which began at Lapeer Public Schools and fin- ished at Grosse Point Public Schools. Then he and his wife, Ann, moved to the Detroit area. During the years of 1963-1964, Bradley was a Fulbright Scholar in Denmark serving as a visiting lecturer in American Language and Literature. His published works include book reviews for the Mensa Bulletin; History, a publication of The faculty and staff of the Western Michigan University the Helen Dwight Reid Educational Foundation; Department of English and Best Sellers, a publication of the University of cordially invites you Scranton. to our Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception, He has also served as a Program Chairman honoring our undergraduate and graduate students of the League of Woman Voters of Grosse Point. He volunteers at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Henry April 15, 2009 Ford Cottage Hospital, and the Dominican Literacy 3:00-6:30 p.m. Center. Lee Honors College Lounge In addition he is a member of Friends of Keynote Speaker: Historic East Campus (FOHEC) an organization Robert Bradley that is pushing for the restoration of East Campus. 2008-2009 Department of English Distinguished Alumnus “I would like to see the aesthetics brought back to “My Three Mentors” Western, which I feel was an architectual standout 1 when I attended college.” Chair’sthan Bush, Bethlynn CornerSanders) and Not a bad year to be an to move us forward is the Western intellectual in the field of English the College of Arts and Sciences Michigan Review, a journal that en- studies at Western: Meaningful Faculty Achievement Award in courages concise critical reflection polysyllabic words hail from the Research and Creative Activity on cultural productions in all areas White House, and an education in (Daneen Wardrop) as well as in of English Studies. For the WMR, English studies, a field imparting Teaching (Jonathan Bush). Our we invite all the friends of the Eng- the essential career skills of smart guests this spring included the lish Department, alumni/ae, emeriti/ writing, reading, thinking, research- former presidents of the Modern ae, students, and faculty to submit ing, and speaking, continues to Language Association of America, reviews of books, movies, per- attract excellent undergraduate and Gerald Graff, and of the National formances, etc., that demonstrate graduate students to our department Council of Teachers of English, the principal skills an education in and its programs. Sheridan Blau, to name but two of English Studies provides: critical How well the department the distinguished scholars and writ- comparative thinking, awareness of is prepared to teach and hone these ers who came to visit and speak with the power of words and linguistic skills is obvious from the number us. structures, and imaginative, en- of honors and publications faculty However, let’s not sit on our gaged, creative, graceful, and smart and students are producing: Our laurels, because we can even do writing. Please consider joining us graduate students cleaned up at better than this: In the fall semester, in this innovative way of sharing a number of competitive venues: we will run the first experimental your reading and viewing experi- Greg Laing (PhD student) received section of ENGLISH 2000, a two- ences with the many others who the only full-year WMU Disserta- hour team-taught class designed to enjoy critical intellectual exchange. tion Completion Fellowship, Lisa match students up with professors You can find WMR at: www.wmich. Horton (PhD student) and Meghann in their areas of interest so that they edu/english. Meeusen (MA student) received the can develop stronger scholarly, cre- As always, if you’re in the All University Graduate Student ative, and professional agendas. vicinity, drop by and please consider Award for Teaching Effectiveness, During some sessions of coming to any department events. and Adam Clay (PhD student) and ENGLISH 2000, the entire class We’d love to welcome you back. Kris Peterson (MFA student) the All will work with a team of profes- University Graduate Research and sors to debate an idea in a recently Regards, Creative Scholar Award. published essay or to explore how Richard Utz, Chair Our undergraduate students, technology has revolutionized the led by the active local chapter of teaching of English. At other ses- Sigma Tau Delta, continue to orga- sions, interested seniors might take nize the annual departmental Eng- part in a graduate school applica- lish Studies Conference, participate tion workshop, while other students in Career Day, gain practical experi- might meet with a visiting writer or ence through internships and edito- learn about the way that folklore is rial work with various publications, taught across the disciplines. including our own Comparative You get the idea: The goal is Drama, New Issues Press, Third a holistic view of the field of English Coast Magazine, and The Laureate, studies so that our students will be and successfully apply for positions able to make informed choices as and graduate school. they move forward on their various And our faculty and staff academic and non-academic profes- received the Dean’s Staff and Fac sional paths. 2 ulty Appreciation Award (Jona- A second exciting project Student2009 Presidential Scholar- PhilipNews Taylor The 2009 Presidential Scholar in English is Philip poetry and prose within the 2009 edition of The Laureate. M. Taylor who is in his fourth year at Western Michigan Philip has also been awarded with the Dean’s Scholar Grant University working towards a double major in English and the Academic Medallion Scholarship. Literature as well as Women and Gender Studies with a Initially arriving at Western Michigan University minor in Art History. Currently, he is focusing his academic to major in Musical Theatre Performance, Philip quickly interests on the application of Queer and Feminist theory transferred to the English Department and would like this to literary analyses and linguistics. Working with Dr. Ilana opportunity to thank all of those who have encouraged and Nash of the English Department, Philip is using Judith But- supported him during his academic career. ler’s theories of gender performance to create an analysis of American literature written between 1950 and 1970. This exploration of masculinity and gender performance is an attempt to dismantle the convoluted divisions of gender that exist within contemporary American culture. Anticipating his degree, Philip is planning on at- tending graduate school to further his interest in academic studies. Planning on focusing upon American Literature and Cultural Studies, Philip is determined to achieve higher education and would like to work within the scholarly community. By continuing his education, Philip hopes to become an instructor at a university where he can continu- ally develop and hone his academic skills. Along with being the Presidential Scholar of both From left. Dr. Lisa Minnick ,Presidential Scholar the English Department and the Women and Gender Stud- Philip Taylor and Dr. Richard Utz ies Department, Philip is anticipating the publication of his “Star-crossed Majors: From Science to English” In my the Science/English gap without her. second semester Many contemporary scientists don’t make it out of at WMU, I took their area of expertise, and this makes communication across Shakespeare topic borders very difficult. The Footnotes internship, along (with Dr. Meg with my other English classes, has given me these valuable Dupuis) and skills and has helped to set me apart from other applicants Literary Inter- to graduate school. During my interviews, I was asked a pretation (with common question, “Do you have any writing or communica- Isle Schwietzer). tion experience,” and my answer was simply, “Yes, I’m an The fusion of English major.” I can’t stress enough how much my experi- these two classes ence within the English Department has made it possible for inspired me to me to pursue my dreams in the Science field.