MuchNews from the English DepartmentAdoSpring 2016 • Volume 8, Issue 2 Celebrating English Alumnus’ Rare Gift

n April 14, 2016, the importance of rare books and the Oheld a special event in honor of the study of older literatures. Thanks re-opening of its rare books collection to Dr. Giannetti’s generous gift, reading room. Titled “Of Enduring Value: students at Duquesne will now be Rare Books at ,” the able to view this early edition of exhibition brought together librarians, this significant and unusual poem professors, students, and local media in the Gumberg Library—that is, to admire and learn about some of once it has returned from “touring” Duquesne’s most interesting rare books, West Virginia with Shakespeare’s including the new gem of Duquesne’s First Folio. collection: a 1611 edition of Spenser’s The Faerie Queene. This rare and beautiful The event, organized by University book was donated by Dr. Robert M. Librarian Dr. Sara Baron, was Giannetti, an alumnus of the English also attended by Department’s Ph.D. program. At the Post-Gazette reporter Marylynne event, the English Department’s Dr. Pitz, who published an excellent Danielle St. Hilaire provided the audience with some background write-up about the event: http://www.post-gazette.com/ on the poem, after which Dr. Giannetti gave a moving tribute, with news/education/2016/04/16/Duquesne-acquires-rare-work/ readings from the poem and from a piece of his own poetry, to the stories/201604160006

Doctoral Graduate Christine Cusick Receives Fellowship in Ireland

uring my time as a Duquesne graduate Humanities and the Social Sciences is Connemara Dstudent, I had the privilege to work an international community that brings to celebrate with gifted teachers and scholars who together researchers who are committed a collection supported my interdisciplinary research to multi-disciplinary dialogue and that honors and who enacted for me the deep value conversation. I collaborated with a faculty the work of of a supportive research and teaching member from The Centre for Irish Studies cartographer community. I try to bring this ethos to my at NUI Galway, conducted archival and writer Tim work in the classroom and on the page. research at the James Hardiman Library, Robinson. One and enjoyed conversations with students of our primary As a part of my first sabbatical, I held the and scholars whose experiences enlivened aims of the honor of a Moore Institute Visiting Fellow and enriched my understanding of a collection at the National University of Galway, dynamic research area. was to create a study that bridges the an experience that recalls for me how chasm between academic and community fortunate I am to find my way to intellectual I was most grateful to the Institute for activism. For me, this gathering of poets, circles that value the social relevance of our hosting a launch for my newly released scholars, environmental educators, and work. coedited essay collection. In this gathering, community members was hope for what we faculty, students, and staff joined The Moore Institute for Research in the community members of Galway City and continued on pg. 2, see Fellowship

IN THIS ISSUE: FOR QUESTIONS OR SUBMISSIONS, CONTACT: Alumni Updates...... 2 Study Abroad...... 6 Nora McBurney Faculty Updates...... 3 Visiting Speaker, Jean Lutes...... 6 Administrative Assistant Awards and Achievements...... 4 Visiting Speaker, Bill Deasy...... 7 English Department Department News...... 5 Theater Performances...... 7 [email protected] | 412.396.6420 /duqenglish Fellowship, continued from pg. 1 might aim to more thoughtfully achieve as Given the current challenges that academia page in the same way that I carry my time at teachers, researchers, and human animals faces, I know that opportunities such as my Duquesne with me in every working hour. of the natural world. My time at NUI Galway experience abroad are rare. I feel blessed was brought to a close with a public lecture by this time and hope that I can carry its on my research. fruit into my classroom and onto the blank

AlumniUpdates Careers in Academia Panel

Katie Calano (M.A. 2015) accepted an English teaching position at n April 8 the Duquesne English Department brought four Upper St. Clair School District after teaching at Grove City High Otalented alumni back to campus to celebrate their successes School for 5 years. and discuss the transition from Ph.D. student to career academic. Emily Rutter (Ph.D. 2014), Assistant Professor of English (Diverse Cara Cilano (Ph.D. 2000) accepted the position of English Literatures) at Ball State University, Elizabeth Savage (Ph.D. 1998), Department Chair at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Professor of 19th and 20th century American literature at Fairmont State University, Jeff Stoyanoff (Ph.D. 2015), Assistant Professor Shayne Confer (Ph.D. 2009) accepted the position of Acting Chair of medieval literature at Spring Hill College, and Kristianne Kalata of the English Department at Union College in Barbourville, KY. Vaccaro (Ph.D. 2008), Associate Professor of Victorian literature at He was also elected Vice President of the Kentucky Philological Association.

Robert Craven (M.A. 2015) accepted a graduate teaching fellowship at the University of Oregon English Ph.D. program for Fall 2016. He will study ecocriticism.

Justin Kishbaugh (Ph.D. 2014) accepted a position as the Legal Writing Consultant at Roger Williams University in Providence, RI.

Laurie McMillian (Ph.D. 2004) accepted the position of Department of English and Modern Language Studies Chair at Pace University in Pleasantville, NY.

Emily Rutter (Ph.D. 2014) presented “‘Straighten Up and Fly Right’: A Contrafactual Reading of Percival Everett’s Suder and Bernard Malamud’s The Natural” at The Sultans of Swing Conference: 100 Years of Baseball, Jazz, and Short Fiction (Wright L-R, Dr. Jeff Stoyanoff, Dr. Kristianne Kalata Vaccaro, State University, April 2016). A full-length article with the same Dr. Elizabeth Savage, Dr. Emily Rutter. title is forthcoming in Aethlon: The Journal of the Sport Literature. Westminster College provided a holistic view of life in the academy Elizabeth Savage (Ph.D. 1998) had a new chapbook just released by and discussed best practices for graduate students and early career Dancing Girl Press titled Parallax. In March, her poem “Pacific” faculty. A dynamic discussion revealed that the alumni were won this year’s Denise Levertov Prize. Also very happily, Fairmont grateful for the dedicated mentorship of Duquesne faculty and the State University named her the 2016 recipient of the William A. lively community fostered by the English Graduate Organization. Boram Award for Teaching Excellence. Alumni also advised students to practice time management in Jeff Stoyanoff (Ph.D. 2015) presented a paper, “Brothers anticipation of the demands on full-time faculty, and discussed Cannot be Lovers: Romance and Making the Private Public in how service can both enrich the academic experience and take Chaucer’s Knight’s Tale,” at the MLA Convention in Austin in time away from scholarly and pedagogical pursuits. When asked January 2016. Jeff also presented “The York Last Judgment: The what they wish they had done more of while at Duquesne, alumni Pavement as Unnatural Space” at the Forty-Second Annual encouraged students to pursue innovative programs. Dr. Rutter Sewanee Medieval Colloquium on a panel that he organized, spoke highly of her experience in the Learning Communities, noting “Reading Natural and Unnatural Space” in April 2016. the positive impact these interdisciplinary programs had on her job candidacy, and Dr. Stoyanoff observed that teaching UCOR 102 Matthew Vickless (Ph.D. 2015) accepted a position in December allowed him to design innovative literature classes on subjects/ 2015 as a board member for the non-profit Central Penn College themes of his choosing. A reception following the panel provided Education Foundation. He was unanimously nominated by the an opportunity for networking and celebration. We are grateful to current trustees who were impressed by his student-centered Drs. Rutter, Savage, Stoyanoff, and Vaccaro for their attendance and teaching philosophy and approach to first-generation students. excellent advice, and pleased that the event gave us an opportunity Matthew will work with the other trustees over his term to help to reflect on the smart and supportive community of which we are provide education and scholarship opportunities to deserving a part. Central Penn College students.

2 Much Ado FacultyUpdates Faith Barrett presented “The Penfield Literature in Hearn’s Chita: Memory of Ph.D.s: Not Just Extra: Editing War Poems in an Amateur Last Isle” for the Society of Novel Studies Print Newspaper” for the Civil War caucus Conference 2016 in Pittsburgh, PA in May. for Academia at the Midwest MLA in Columbus, OH Dr. Mirmotahari is CETR’s Gaultier Fellow last November. She also presented “‘Like for 2016-2017 academic year. lthough it might sound surprising, Garnet, and Douglass, and Delany too’: Aan M.A. or Ph.D. in English can Constituting the Abolitionist Community Jim Purdy was awarded the Faculty Award prepare you well for jobs outside of in the Scrapbooks of Amos Gerry Berman” for Excellence in Teaching by the McAnulty the university. This was the message of for C-19 Society for Nineteenth Century College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts the March 17 “Careers in Media” panel Americanists in State College, PA in March. this February as well as the Bronze Medal jointly sponsored by the Department of She also presented “Becoming Animal in in the Education Theory/Commentary English and Department of Journalism the Work of Leslie Scalapino” for POETICS: Category for his edited volume The Next and Multimedia Arts (JMA). At the event, The Next 23 Years in Buffalo, NY in April. Digital Scholar: A Fresh Approach to the three accomplished women at different Common Core State Standards in Research stages of their careers told Duquesne Laura Engel presented “‘A Flattered and Writing at the Independent Publisher English and JMA students about other Picture:’ Frances Burney, Portraiture, Book Awards last fall. In March of 2015 at career paths, and how they can prepare Fashion, and the Eighteenth-Century the Conference on College Composition and Marketplace” for the Modern Language Communication (CCCC), Jim co-presented themselves for those careers while still Association Conference in Austin, TX in with Karen Lunsford “Innovations for IP in school. January. and IRB” In Tampa, FL. Last October he presented “Design Thinking in the Writing Lois Raimondo, a former Washington John Fried presented “Furries, Fairies, and Center” at the International Writing Centers Post and New York Times reporter and Fetuses: When Earnestness Derails the Association conference in Pittsburgh, PA. photographer who currently holds Short Story” for the Association of Writers In April, he again co-presented with Karen the Shott Chair in Journalism at West and Writing Programs in Los Angeles, CA in Lunsford, “Intellectual Property Stories Virginia University, described how April. in Writing Studies” at CCCC in Houston, her M.A. in Chinese literature and TX. Additionally, at CCCC he participated culture prepared her to report on the Anna Gibson presented “Forming Towards as a speaker on the roundtable for the Dalai Lama’s exile from Tibet and the Form in the Victorian Novel” for the Intellectual Property in Composition early days of the 2001 U.S. invasion of Interdisciplinary Nineteenth Century Studies Caucus discussion of “IP Stories Studies Conference in Asheville, NC in Afghanistan. Critical thinking—the from the Field” in March of 2015 as well as March. She also presented “How We Read ability to quickly and accurately take in this past April. Jim delivered the keynote Novel Form: Victorian Seriality, Form, and address, “Literacies in a Digital World: facts and ideas, weigh their credibility, Formation” for the American Comparative and make decisions—is a key part of a Approaches to Teaching Tomorrow’s Digital Literature Association Conference in Scholar” at the Pace University Faculty humanities education, she stressed, and Boston, MA in March. it was crucial in her work. Institute Conference in Pleasantville, NY and presented “A Study of Writing Susan Howard presented “Parading the in Wikipedia: Ten Years Later” at the Digital media is a great place for a Royal Brand: Terracing as Political Tool Computers and Writing Conference in May Ph.D., Slate.com staff writer Rebecca and Social Spectacle in the Reign of George in Rochester, NY. Onion asserted. Graduate students III” for American Society for Eighteenth learn to condense large amounts of Century Studies in Pittsburgh, PA in March. Jerry Stinnett presented “Writing information down to its key ideas, a Outcomes as Strategic Action: Defining Linda Kinnahan presented “Caroline skill also fundamental to writing for a Good Start instead of Good Writing in Bergvall and Visual Technologies” for digital environments. Lindsay Albracht, First-Year Writing” for the Conference on POETICS: The Next 25 Years in Buffalo, NY in a Duquesne English M.A. currently College Composition and Communication April. She also presented “Poetic Form and in Houston, TX in April. He also presented completing her Ph.D. at the City Economic Justice in Moore and Ridge” for “The Changing Role of English, 1958-1965: University of New York, echoed this. 21st Century Marianne Moore Conference in Post-Industrialism and the Rhetorical Albracht served as the intern for the Houston, TX in March. popular podcast “The Culture Gabfest,” Roots of Disciplinary Composition” for the and in that position she had to collect Rebecca May presented “Natural History Rhetoric Society of America Conference in and review dozens, even hundreds, and the Unnatural Woman: Reframing Atlanta, GA in May. of sources of information and opinion Taxidermy” for the Interdisciplinary Matthew Ussia presented “Of Voyeurism Nineteenth-Century Studies group in every week in order to give the podcast and Exhibitionism: Nakedness, Security, Asheville, NC in March. hosts what they needed to know. Vulnerability, Intimacy, and the Privatized Emad Mirmotahari published his article, Person” for the Northeast Modern Language All of the panelists agreed that their “The Local as the Global: Reflections on Association Conference in Hartford, CT in advanced degrees were helps, not Teaching World Literature.” in World March. hindrances, in their nonacademic jobs Literature Today 90.3-4 (May-August and careers and urged current students 2016). He presented “Literary Translation: Sarah Breckenridge Wright presented to think deliberately about how to A History in Judaism, Christianity, and “Vagrants and Viaducts: Representing hone their critical thinking and reading London Bridge in The Cook’s Tale” at the Islam” for the Religion and Spirituality in th and communications skills not just for Society conference in Washington, DC in 20 Biennial Congress of the New Chaucer scholarly or pedagogical work but for a March. He also presented “Models of World Society in London this July. wide variety of applications.

duq.edu/english 3 DepartmentNews

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS nce again, students and faculty in the Department of English 1 Oand Theater Arts and its affiliated groups were honored with several awards this spring!

Each spring, the O’Donnell Awards are given to those seniors who have achieved excellence as an English or Theater Arts major. Students receive a monetary award and certificate of excellence at a special Department hosted luncheon.

Congratulations to the 2016 Recipients of the O’Donnell Excellence Awards: 2 3 Excellence in the English Major: Justin Stec and Jess Jack

Excellence in Fiction Writing: Jess Jack and Shannon Small

Excellence in Poetry Writing: Jess Jack

Excellence in Service: Emily Keith and Mary Claire Murray

Excellence in Writing Center Consulting: Shannon Small and Christina Gregory

Doctoral students Cheryl Read and Sara Tavela were this year’s recipients of the Graduate Student Awards for Teaching Excellence 4 from the Center for Teaching Excellence. This is the twelfth year in a row that at least one English graduate student has received an award.

Each spring, the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts presents excellence awards to faculty, graduate students, and staff. Our own Dr. Jim Purdy was awarded for Excellence in Teaching at this year’s ceremony.

Lexicon, Duquesne University’s journal of arts and literature, is a student-run publication advised by Professor John Fried that showcases the poetry, prose, and visual art of our campus community. Since its introduction in 2005, Lexicon has expanded to include not just the publication of the journal, but Open Mic nights and an annual art show held on campus. This year, Lexicon was recognized for its many contributions with not one, but three awards from the Center for Student Involvement: Lexicon editor 1 L-R, Jess Jack, Emily Keith, Justin Stec, Christina Gregory, Katie Auwaerter won Student Leader of the Year, the art show Shannon Small, Mary Claire Murray won Program of the Year and the group won the overall award for Student Organization of the Year. 2 Doctoral students Cheryl Read and Sara Tavela

3 Dr. Jim Purdy

4 Lexicon Group

4 Much Ado DepartmentNews (cont.) Doctoral Candidate Undertakes Unique Opportunity at MLA Conference rom presenting papers to volunteering, Association. As a Year in Conferences they finish their dissertations and enter FDuquesne graduate students and English reporter, Allie worked with a team of the job market. While the team of graduate majors attend a spectrum of academic graduate students from across the country students and advisors covered a huge scope conferences to professionalize. Ph.D. to cover panels of interest at MLA for ESQ of panels during the conference, they have candidate Allie Reznik had the unique readers. continued to work together remotely since opportunity to attend the Modern Language January to compile, organize, and revise the Association 2016 Conference in Austin, TX Year in Conferences has been recognized feature. It has been an incredibly supportive as a Year in Conferences reporter for ESQ: A by scholars for its ability to bring together and rewarding experience where graduate Journal of the American Renaissance. The cutting-edge scholarship in nineteenth- students collaboratively create and publish Year in Conferences feature compiles brief century studies. The feature is a powerful a document that is immediately relevant to reports of presentations from nineteenth- mentoring and networking tool as reporters nineteenth-century American scholars. Be century American panels at conferences connect with prominent scholars, keep in sure to check out the feature with Allie’s including MLA, the American Literature touch with them as they write their reports, reports, forthcoming in January 2017! Association, and the American Studies and build professional relationships as

Mentor Program Welcomes Volunteers for Fall 2016 Spring 2016 Graduates Master of Arts he Duquesne English Arts Program (DEAP) gives English faculty, instructors, students, Stephen Colorito Tand alumni an opportunity to serve the local community by offering academic Christina Danner resources to urban youth. Our objective is to help students advance their educational goals Justin Fanzo through interaction with volunteer mentors. Kayla Firm Sarah Hancock In Spring 2015, English faculty and graduate students implemented DEAP at the Anna Harp Neighborhood Academy, a college preparatory school in Stanton Heights, and we look Theresa Hoffman forward to continuing the program this fall. Volunteers are needed and we welcome your Allison Keene participation. Please contact Dr. Kathy Glass ([email protected]) if you would like to tutor or Marissa Mosley mentor a student in Fall 2016. Theresa Sullivan

Doctoral Rachel Luckenbill, Ph.D. Dissertation: “Representations of Christianity TERRA Group Continues Work in Contemporary Native American Literature at Community Garden by Women” Linda Kinnahan, director; Kathy Glass, first his summer, Dr. Sarah Breckenridge Wright will continue reader; Cari Carpenter (WVU), second reader Twork at the Hill District’s MLK Community Garden on behalf of the TERRA Learning Community. She will not Erin Rentschler, Ph.D. be alone in representing Duquesne University, though. Dissertation: “Reading the Vietnam War Thanks to funding from the Charles Henry Leach II Board and Encountering Other Others: Race and of Directors, she will be directing two student interns: Ethnicity in American Novels of the Vietnam Hayley Davis (’19) and Samuel Shaffer (’19), both graduates War” of TERRA. Dr. Wright, Hayley, and Sam will work alongside Magali Michael, director; Emad Mirmotahari, community residents, volunteers, and area stakeholders to first reader; Kathy Glass, second reader increase productivity in the community farm, build a play space for children, install a water catchment system, and decorate the space with art. Since opening in 2015, the MLK Marcie Rovan, Ph.D. Community Garden has provided a local, organic, sustainable Dissertation: “Happily Ever After? Ambiguous food source and a community-gathering place to Hill District Closure in Modernist Children’s Literature” Linda Kinnahan, director; Judy Suh, residents. Dr. Wright is happy to be a part of the project, and first reader; Marah Gubar (University of is especially pleased that she is able to involve students in this Pittsburgh), second reader meaningful transformation of a once abandoned ball field into a lively green space. duq.edu/english 5 DepartmentNews (cont.) Breakaway Classes Offer Faculty and Students Incredible Opportunity n the Fall 2015 issue, we highlighted culture of Paris. After learning Isome of the department’s about the history and theories involvement in the study abroad of travel writing, the students program here at Duquesne. The toured Notre Dame and the Louvre department continues to make with Duquesne Rome Campus study abroad an integral part of the art historian Prof. Liz Lev, took a curriculum and has added several French cooking class, and visited “breakaway” courses for students. other historic sites, including the Offered in conjunction with the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe Office of International Programs, and the Chateau de Chantilly. Spring Breakaway and short-term Upon returning, the students were Summer abroad courses allow faculty able to generate their own travel to incorporate a study tour into the writing based on their experience syllabus. This is a fantastic opportunity abroad. for students to physically see and interact with the people, places, and ideas students studied Shakespeare and other Upcoming “breakaway” opportunities they have been learning about during the playwrights of the late 16th and early 17th from the department include Dr. Greg semester. century, then traveled to London where Barnhisel’s Modern Irish Literature: Yeats/ they saw live play performances there Joyce/Beckett, which will include a trip In Spring 2016, our department offered two and in Stratford-upon-Avon, toured The this summer to Dublin, Galway and Sligo, spring breakaway courses: London Theater: Globe, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Ireland, as well as two planned courses Shakespeare and His Age with Dr. Stuart the National Theatre, and took in the many for Spring 2017: Creative Writing in Paris Kurland and Travel Writing in Paris with Dr. historic sites in England’s capital city. with Dr. Faith Barrett and Shaw: Drama Magali Michael. In both courses, students and Performance with Professor John spent the spring semester attending weekly During the same week, Dr. Michael’s Lane, which will include a trip to the Shaw classes and then went on-location during students kept a travel journal as they Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake. the week of spring break. Dr. Kurland’s experienced the fantastic art, food, and

Visiting Speaker, Jean Lutes

n Friday, April 1, Jean Lutes (Villanova) barriers and inspired many imitators Ogave a talk entitled “Feeling Syndicated: (Around the World in Seventy-Two Days, The Invention of the Advice Columnist Penguin, 2014). Lutes’ talk was drawn from in Early 20th-Century America.” Co- her current book project, which focuses on sponsored by the English Department, mass print culture, emotion, and women’s Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, narratives in early twentieth-century and the Dean’s Office/NEH funds, Dr. America. Lutes’ talk was the kick-off event for the American Women Writers study group On Saturday morning, participants in the meeting, which took place on the Duquesne American Women Writers study group met campus on Saturday, April 2, from 1 to 5 at the Detre Library at the Heinz History p.m. Jean Lutes’ first book, Front-Page Center, where the archivists provided Girls: Women Journalists in American an excellent overview of their holdings Literature and Culture, (Cornell, 2006), relevant to research on women writers argues that women’s reporting in the in the nineteenth and early twentieth early twentieth century offers a vibrant centuries. In the afternoon, participants alternative tradition to the male-dominated reconvened on the Duquesne campus for journalistic writing that we associate with discussion of a set of readings that focused the University of Pittsburgh among other the rise of literary realism. More recently on the work of American women journalists institutions. English Department faculty she has edited a collection of the writings in the late nineteenth century. The meeting and graduate students who participated of Pittsburgh’s own Nellie Bly, a late drew participants from the University at included Marla Anzalone, Faith Barrett, nineteenth century newspaperwoman Buffalo, Oberlin College, Hunter College, Kathy Glass, Linda Kinnahan, Allie Reznik, whose sensational reporting broke gender Rutgers, New Jersey City University, and and Lisa Weddell.

6 Much Ado Theater Performances 2016-2017 Productions

SUMMER COMPANY The Consorts By Tim Ruppert Directed by John E. Lane, Jr. June 2-12 WORLD PREMIERE Come Back, Little Sheba ​By William Inge Directed by Justin Sines July 14-24

A History of the American Film ​Book and Lyrics by Christopher Durang Score by Mel Marvin Directed by John E. Lane, Jr Aug. 18-28

RED MASQUERS Avenue Q Book by Jeff Whitty Music and Lyrics by Lopez and Marx Sept. 29-Oct. 16 How I Learned to Drive By Paula Vogel Nov. 3-13 Premieres Written and directed by students Nov. 30-Dec. 3 Christmas Cabaret Dec. 9-10 Rust By F.J. Hartland Feb. 16-26 WORLD PREMIERE Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Book by Alex Timbers Music and Lyrics by Michael Friedman March 15-19 An Evening with Bill Deasy Proof By David Auburn n April 11, singer, songwriter, novelist, and screenwriter Bill Deasy spoke at Duquesne March 30-April 9 OUniversity as part of the annual Spring Reading Series event. The annual series— True West sponsored by the First-Year Writing Program, the English Department, and the Provost’s By Sam Shepard Office—works to demonstrate the continued relevance of writing in contemporary April 26-30 society by giving students a chance to encounter prominent local authors in a dynamic One Acts for Charity environment. This year’s event took place in the University’s Union Ballroom where more May 4-6 than 250 students and faculty listened as Deasy spoke about the connections between All shows Thursday-Saturday begin at 8 p.m., and his personal history and his creative process. Opening with a performance of a new song Sunday shows begin at 2 p.m., in the Genesius entitled “Then December,” Deasy discussed his crafting of the song and related how the Theater and are FREE with Duquesne ID, Carlow ID, lyrics and melody fit within the broader emotional tenor of his work, which he described or Red Masquers Card. as melancholy but hopeful. The event included three such performances and a reading of Tickets can be purchased through selections from the author’s novel Ransom Seaborn. thesummercompany.com/#!purchase- tickets/w04y8 for the Summer Company or brownpapertickets.com/event/2426275 for the Throughout the talk, Deasy emphasized identifying a theme or emotion one can evoke in Red Masquers. audience members as central to creating impactful and relatable artistic performances. Visit duqredmasquers.com or send an e-mail to His own such identification, he said, had roots in his early childhood and the death of [email protected] for more information. a younger brother. Deasy’s story about writing the late 90s local radio favorite “Lost in America” reflected these tenets, suggesting how his personal outlook led him to incorporate scenes of the rivers, steel mills, and railroad tracks that characterize the Pittsburgh landscape into the song. The event concluded with a Q&A session during which students had a chance to learn how Deasy distinguished himself in the local music scene, decided to take up writing for a living, and improved his craft as a songwriter and novelist.

duq.edu/english 7 McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts 600 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15282

8 Much Ado