Department of English Past Events
Check out what we've been up to! For the most up-to-date information make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Spring 2024
English Department Colloquium - March 18th & April 15th
The English Honors Colloquium is a new series that invites faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate majors and minors, and anyone interested in English Studies to gather in fellowship to hear about an discuss the cutting-edge work being done by our faculty. On March 18th, Dr. Carey Mickalites discussed "Emma Donoghue's Hunger Aesthetic: Famine Memory and Colonial Politics in The Wonder" and on April 15th, Dr. Kathy Lou Schultz discussed "An Epistemology of Self-Knowing: Suzanne Césaire, André Breton, and Caribbean Surrealism”. Stay tuned for future English Department Colloquium events!
2024 Talbot Roundtable: Reclaiming Indigenous Languages & English Graduate Student Conference - April 12th
On April 12th, the 2024 Talbot Roundtable took place in the UC Bluff Room and welcomed keynote speakers Kendall King from University of Minnesota and Joshua (Lokosh) Hinson, Executive Director of Language Preservation, Chickasaw Nation. On April 12th and 13th, the English Department also hosted a Graduate Student Conference: Transdisciplinary Approaches to Linguistic Diversity. Click here to read more about the roundtable and the conference.
Naseeb Shaheen Memorial Lecture Series - April 10th and 12th
On April 10th, Dr. Marjorie Garber visited with English, History, and Philosophy graduate students. On April 12th, Dr. Garber was the keynote speaker for the ACTC Conference with her talk Displacement. Click here to read more about the Naseeb Shaheen Memorial Lecture Series.
The Pinch Issue 44.1 Release Party - March 29th
On March 29th, we celebrated the launch of The Pinch issue 44.1 at the Crosstown Concourse Glass Room! More info about The Pinch Journal can be found on our MFA webpage and The Pinch's website and Instagram
Author Visit & Book Talk with Alice Faye Duncan - February 29th
On February 29th, we welcomed children's literature author and UofM English Alumni Alice Faye Duncan for a discussion on Martin, Coretta, and the power of Black Love. Alice Faye Duncan is a National Board educator who writes books for young learners. Her popular works have been nominated for NAACP Image Awards in Children's Literature and has been featured and reviewed in publications such as the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Ebony Magazine, and Parent Magazine.
WordSmith Writing Olympics - February 25th
Wordsmith Writing Olympics brought over 200 middle and high school students from 30 area schools to the University of Memphis to test their writing and creative thinking skills with a series of quick writing exercises known as dashes. The yearly event is sponsored by the University of Memphis Department of English. Read more about it here and follow them on Facebook for updates!
Craft Interview with Hanif Abdurraqib - February 21st
On February 21st, The Pinch Presents welcomed poet, essayist, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib to Patterson Hall 456 for a craft interview and Q&A.
Eric Schlich's Book Launch & Conversation - January 22nd
On January 22nd, novel bookstore hosted Dr. Schlich's book launch for Eli Harpo's Adventure to the Afterlife. The launch was accompanied by a conversation with fellow Creative Writing professor Courtney Santo!
Fall 2023
Acknowledged and Empowered at Home, School, and Abroad: Conversations and Resources for Inclusive Children's Literature Practices - November 30th
On November 30th, the Literature and African American Literature concentrations collaborated with faculty from Instruction and Curriculum Leadership to host a panel discussion on children's and young adult literature. Topics included POC voices and representation, LGBTQIA+ voices, Muslim representation, and the representation of physical disabilities. Jasmine Settles of Cafe Noir was also in attendance, providing inclusive literature resources.
The Pinch Presents... Justin St. Germain - November 16th & 17th
On November 16th, the Creative Writing concentration welcomed nonfiction author Justin St. Germain for a reading at the UC Fountain Room, and on November 17th the concentration moderated a craft interview in Patterson Hall 456.
Designing GenAI Policies Panel - November 7th
On November 7th, professors from English, World Languages & Literatures, History, and Philosophy hosted a panel discussing designing policies for Generative Artificial Intelligence and the challenges and opportunities that faculty face.
Race and Reporting in Memphis: A Memphis Reads Affiliate Event - October 23rd
On October 23rd, the University of Memphis hosted a screening of the USA Today documentary The Tyre Nichols Beating: What Went Wrong in Memphis?, followed by a panel discussion on journalism, policing, and race in Memphis. The panel took a local focus on the national issues covered in this year's Memphis Reads book, His Name is George Floyd by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa.
The Pinch Presents... Daniel Hornsby - October 5th & 6th
On October 5th, The Pinch Presents welcomed author Daniel Hornsby for a fiction reading at the University Center Bluff Room. On October 6th, Dan Hornsby held a craft interview in Patterson Hall 456, discussing his new novel, Sucker.
English Department Open House - October 4th
We hosted our annual English Department Open House on October 4th from 3:30pm-5:30pm in Patterson Hall room 456. Students were invited to learn more about our SIX undergraduate concentrations, study abroad opportunities, and honors courses.
Harry Potter Study Abroad Info Session - September 29th
Profs. Cathy Dice and Tammy Jones held an information session on the upcoming study abroad trip, "Rediscovering Harry Potter: Sources, Landscapes, & Legacies". More info on the course can be found here.
Summer 2023
Talbot Summer Institute Summer 2023
On June 21st and 22nd, faculty from the English Department facilitated conversations with English Language Arts educators for the 2023 Deb Talbot Summer Institute. During these sessions, the goal was to equip ELA teachers with innovative and research-tested ways of approaching the challenges or diverse classrooms while at the same time introducing them to the curriculum and values of the first-year writing program at the University of Memphis. Some of the topics discussed were threshold concepts of writing, teaching writing to multilingual and multidialectal learners, and teaching writing in an AI world. Thanks to everyone who attended these sessions and to our faculty members Elliott Casal, Carlos Bolton, and Tammy Jones for facilitating!
Spring 2023
Spring 2023 Awards Ceremony
On April 27th, the English Department celebrated the 2023 award winners. Click here for a full list of winners!
Women's and Gender Studies: Works in Progress Symposium
On March 30th, Dr. Katie Fredlund presented at the Women's and Gender Studies' Works in Progress Symposium in the UC Fountain View Room!
Bibliophile's Show and Tell
On March 23rd, Dr. Darryl Domingo hosted a Bibliophile's Show and Tell! Students and faculty were encouraged to bring their favorite book and discuss what they loved about the physical elements of the book - the dust jacket, binding, layout, typography, illustrations, etc.
Spring Internships Informational
On March 22nd, Undergraduate Advisor Bethany Webb and Internships Coordinator Rachel Cantrell hosted an informational session for the English Internships! Click here to read more about our internships program, or here to view the presentation from the session.
Fall 2022
English Department Open House 2022
On October 5th, English Advisor Bethany Webb and Assistant to the Chair Bridget Wells held the third annual English Department Open House!
Discover Your Major Day 2022
On September 29th, English Advisor Bethany Webb and Assistant to the Chair Bridget Wells represented the English Department at Discover Your Major Day 2022 with a Stranger Things/80s horror-themed booth!
Arthur Flowers Performance and Craft Interview
On Thursday, September 22nd author Arthur Flowers held a performance at Stax Museum, joined by Ekpe Abioto, Danian Jerry, Cequita Monique, Anna B. Scott, and Sheree Renee Thomas. Arthur Flowers also visited Patterson Hall on September 23rd for a craft interview.
Spring 2022
2022 Awards Ceremony
On Thursday, April 28th the English Department celebrated all 2022 award winners in PT 456. For a full list of award winners, click here.
English Internship Information Session
On Thursday, March 31st, English Internship Coordinator Rachel Cantrell hosted an internship information session. A recording of the event can be found here, and the PowerPoint presentation can be found here.
Jericho Brown - Poetry Reading and Craft Interview
On Thursday, March 3rd, Pulitzer Prize winning poet Jericho Brown hosted a poetry reading in the UC Bluff Room. On Friday, March 4th the English Department welcomed Jericho Brown to Patterson Hall for a craft interview.
Fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shaheen Lecture Series: Slow Violence Environmental Justice
On November 18th, Rob Nixon of Princeton University participated in the annual Naseeb Shaheen Memorial Lecture Series in conjunction with the Marcus Orr Center for the Humanities.
Mind the Gap: Scholarship, Public Engagement, and Social Change
On November 12th, the English Department welcomed Rob Nixon via Zoom to discuss strategies for adapting scholarly expertise to public platforms and how to adjust diction, voice, and narrative shape to non-specialist audiences.
Carmen Maria Machado Reading and Interview
On November 11th and 12th, author Carmen Maria Machado visited UofM for an exciting interview and reading of her work.
LitFlix 2021: The Green Knight
On October 27th, literature coordinator Dr. Darryl Domingo hosted the English Department's First Annual LitFlix and kicked it off with a showing of A24's The Green Knight. We hope to see all of you again next year!
Anti-Racist Writing Pedagogy and Assessment Roundtable- October 14th, 2021
On October 14th, authors and professors Dr. Asao Inoue and Dr. Vershawn Ashanti Young visited the University of Memphis to discuss anti-racist writing pedagogy and how graduate students and faculty can implement it into their classrooms. This roundtable discussion was sponsored by the Deb Talbot Roundtable and presented by the English Department.
Discover Your Major Day 2021- September 30th, 2021
Explore the limitless opportunities of an English degree! Congratulations to our department advisor for creating an awesome table at Discover Your Major Day that caught the attention of many UofM Students! It's not too late to choose English and write your future, check out our advising page!
MemFlix: A Memphis Reads Film Series
The series kicked off on Tuesday, September 28th in the University Center River Room with a viewing of the documentary The Souls of Black Girls and a community talk with Natalie McKinney (Executive Director, Whole Child Strategies) and Lakeitha Wilson (Department of English, University of Memphis)
Fall 2020
To Catch a Reader's Eye: Seeing the Sights in Eighteenth-Century Newspaper Advertisements
Have you ever wondered what your professors' work is like? Are there faculty members you don't know anything about yet or simply haven't met? The English Honors Program is sponsoring a new series of faculty presentations, starting with Dr. Darryl Domingo on Friday, October 30th! Do you have recommendations for future discussion topics? Email englishhonors@memphis.edu!
Fall 2020 Pinch Release Party
Faculty and students celebrated the release of The Pinch Issue 40.2. Check out the issue here!
Fall 2019
Discover Your Major Day 2019
What will you do with your Roaring 20's? Congratulations to our department advisor B. Wells for winning first place with the Roaring 20's theme! It's not too late to choose English and write your future, check out our advising page!
Spring 2019
Annual Faculty vs. Graduate Student Softball Game- April 26th, 2019
Thanks to everyone who came out to support our faculty and graduate students. Better luck next year faculty, because the graduate students won this one by a landslide!
2019 Department of English Awards Ceremony- April 25th, 2019
Congratulations to all of our 2019 awards winners!
Undergraduate Sigma Tau Delta Honors Induction Ceremony- April 25th, 2019
Congratulations to our new Sigma Tau Delta Honors Members and our new 2019-20 Sigma Tau Delta Officers!
MFA Graduate Reading- April 19th, 2019
On April 19th, MFA graduate students Kalpana Negi, Haley Quinton, Alyssa Radtke, Anthony Larry, Sarah Cozort, Sydney Wright, Daphne Maysonet, Breanne Hager, Adela Brito, and Kendra Vanderlip presented their recent work in the University Center Bluff Room. Thank you to this star-studded lineup for presenting your talented work!
Fall 2018
The Pinch Release Party- November 2nd, 2018
On November 2nd, English Graduate students, faculty, and friends celebrated the release
of Volume 38.2 of The Pinch. Special thanks to Novel. Bookstore for hosting a great
reading by some of the issue's featured authors, including Adam Byko in Fiction and
Karyna McGlynn in Poetry. Visit The Pinch's website and Facebook page for more information
on this amazing journal!
Dolen Perkins-Valdez Book Reading and Interview- October 25th, 2018
On October 25th, The Department of English welcomed University of Memphis alumna and
New York Times Best-Selling Author Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Our interviewers, graduate
students Rosalind Guy and Haley Quinton, led a generous discussion about the books
and the writing process from the eyes of a best-selling author. A special thanks goes
out to Ms. Perkins-Valdez, The River City Writers' Series, The Pinch, and the Creative
Writing Club, as well as those who attended.
Discover Your Major Day 2018- September 20th, 2018
Thanks to the Department of English Academic Advisor with the help of many English Department faculty members, Discover Your Major Day was a huge success! It was a blast speaking with students from different backgrounds and showcasing the many positive ways a degree in English can further your career and your future. If you missed us on Discover Your Major Day, check out our Undergraduate Page for more information!
Department of English Professor Alice Bolin Book Reading- September 20th, 2018
On Thursday, September 20th, University of Memphis Creative Writing professor Alice Bolin welcomed fans and students to a reading from her acclaimed book of essays, "Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving an American Obsession" at Novel Bookstore. Thanks to Alice Bolin and Kendra Vanderlip for an amazing evening!
Department of English Open House- September 13th, 2018
Thank you to everyone who came out the the First Annual Department of English Open House on September 13th! We hope that everyone had a great time learning more about the six concentrations our department has to offer. A special thanks to all of our student speakers, program coordinators, and our academic advisor Bridget Wells for putting together such a great event.
Summer 2018
Rediscovering Harry Potter: Sources, Landscapes, and Legacies
On May 9th-19th, 2018, fourteen students and English instructors Tammy Jones and Cathy Dice traveled to London and Edinburgh for the Study Abroad course, Rediscovering Harry Potter: Sources, Landscapes and Legacies. Cathy Dice, Tammy Jones, and all of the student Potterheads had a magical time! Want to learn more and join us in Summer 2020? Check out the Study Abroad page!
Spring 2018
Seeing Civil Rights Symposium- March 29th, 2018
On Thursday, March 29th the Brooks Museum of Art welcomed Teju Cole to speak at the Seeing Civil Rights Symposium. Teju Cole is the author of Known and Strange Things, Open City, and Blind Spot and is a photography critic for New York Times Magazine. This event was sponsored by The University of Memphis' Departments of English and History, as well as the Marcus Orr Center for the Humanities, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and Remembering George Riley at MLK50 Fund. Photography credit: Yasmine Omari- Marketing and Education Outreach Coordinator at Germantown Performing Arts Center.
Fall 2017
Bob Cowser Presented by River City Writers' Series- September 25th and 26th, 2017
On September 25th and 26th, the River City Writers' Series welcomed nonfiction author Bob Cowser for a reading and an interview. Bob Cower's most recent book Green Fields: Crime, Punishment, and a Boyhood Between won "Best Memoir 2010" from the Adironack Center for Writers, and an excerpt was cited in the Best American Essays 2012. His other works include Dream Season, Scorekeeping, and the edited collection Why We're Here: New York Essayists on Living Upstate. Cowser is a Professor of English at St. Lawrence University, where he teaches courses in nonfiction writing and American literature and was named the 2012 Owen D. Young Outstanding Faculty Member.
Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor Reading- October 24th, 2017
On October 24th, poet and scholar Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor gave a reading from her new book Imperfect Tense as a part of the River City Writers Series. Melissa Cahnmann-Taylor is a Professor of Language and Literacy Education at the University of Georgia. She is the author of Imperfect Tense (2016) and co-author of three books on education. She has received NEA "Big Read" Grants, the Beckman Award for "Professors who Inspire Social Change," and a Fulbright for a nine-month study of adult Spanish language acquisition in Oaxaca, Mexico. She is the poetry editor for Anthropology & Humanism.
Fourth Annual Shaheen Symposium: Conversations Across Concentration- October 26th, 2017
October 26th, the English Department hosted the Fourth Annual Shaheen Symposium: Conversations Across Concentrations. This symposium featured Professors Kathy Lou Schultz, Lyn Wright, Marcus Wicker, and, Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor (visiting from the University of Georgia). These professors discussed representative poems by Lucille Clifton ("4/30/92 for Rodney King"), Carolyn Rodgers ("How I Got OVAH"), and Pauli Murray ("Prophecy"). This discussion placed an emphasis on how they would go about teaching and contextualizing these works from their own disciplinary or methodological perspectives.
Dr. Yolanda Pierce Presented by Marcus Orr Center for the Humanities and The Department of English- November 2nd, 2017
Dr. Yolanda Pierce's talk was entitled, "I Have Shaken Rivers Out of My Eyes: Black Poetry and Prophetic Rage". Dr. Pierce's most recent book Hell Without Fires: Slavery, Christianity, and the African-American Spiritual Narrative and forthcoming book Religious Ecstasy and African-American Cultural Expression focus on the historical and contemporary significance of the African-American religious tradition.
Spring 2017
Sarai Walker Q&A Session- January 25th, 2017
Visiting Professor and fiction/non-fiction author Sarai Walker gave a reading, Q&A session, and book signing of her novel Dietland on January 25th, 2017.
Caitlin Horrocks Interview and Reading- February 28th and March 1st, 2017
On February 28th and March 1st, the River City Writers Series presented a reading and interview by Caitlin Horrocks. Horrocks is the author of the New York Times Book Review Editor Choice, as well as Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers selected short story collection This is Not Your City.
Women in Words: An Invitational Student Reading- March 16th, 2017
In celebration of Women's History Month, undergraduate and graduate students read their creative works at Women in Words: An Invitational Student Reading on March 16th. Featured student readers include: Briana Brakhage, Madison Cardinez, Devan DelConte, Marisa Manuel, Jeanna Paden, Kendra Vanderlip, and Christine Wunrow. MFA student Amanda Muir served as Master of Ceremonies.
Shara McCallum Reading and Interview- March 30th and 31st, 2017
On March 30th and 31st, The River City Writers Series presented a reading and interview with Shara McCallum, a Jamaican-born and award-winning poet and essayist. Shara's books of poetry include Madwoman, The Face of Water: New and Selected Poems, This Strange Land, Song of Thieves, and The Water Between Us.
Baldwin Now Symposium- March 30th, 2017
In conjunction with Rhodes College, The Department of English presented the Baldwin Now Symposium on March 30th. The roundtable discussion was led by acclaimed Baldwin scholars Quentin Miller, Soyica Colbert, and Magdalena Zaborowska.
Explosive Topics: Teaching Race in Literature Workshop- April 29th, 2017
On Saturday, April 29th, the African-American Literature concentration invited Shelby County elementary, middle, and high school teachers to a teaching workshop called Explosive Topics: Teaching Race in Literature. The workshop was led by African-American Literature faculty members and graduate students.
Fall 2016
Seventh Annual Naseeb Shaheen Memorial Lecture- October 20th, 2016
The U of M English Department was pleased to welcome Professor William J. Maxwell of Washington University in St. Louis to deliver the Seventh Annual Naseeb Shaheen Memorial Lecture on October 20th, 2016. Professor Maxwell's talk was entitled "Born-Again, Seen-Again James Baldwin: State Surveillance, Afro-Pessimism, and the Literary History of Black Lives Matter". The lecture series also included a symposium on the topic of "reading resistance", featuring readings by graduate students, professors, and instructors on October 14th. Learn more about the Shaheen Lecture Series and Symposium.
David Kirby Reading- October 21st and 22nd, 2016
Thanks to generous funding and support from SEA, the English Department, and the Lambuth Foundation, River City Writers Series welcomed poet David Kirby for two readings on October 21st and 22nd. David Kirby's collection The House on Boulevard St.: New and Selected Poems was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2007. Kirby's honors include fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation. his latest poetry collection is called, Get Up, Please.
English Undergraduate Orientation- September 2016
Students gathered in Patterson Hall to learn about all that the English Department has to offer at the English Undergraduate Orientation in September of 2016.
Discover Your Major Day 2016
The Department of English won third place at Discover Your Major Day for its carnival-themed booth! Congratulations to Dale Williams and thanks to all of our volunteers. Photos courtesy of Curt Hart. See more of the fun in this slideshow!
Spring 2016
Rediscovering Harry Potter: Sources, Landscapes, and Legacies- May 9-19th, 2016
On May 9-19th, 2016 thirty-three students and three English faculty members (Cathy Dice, Tammy Jones, and Susan Popham) from the University of Memphis Honors Program traveled to London and Edinburgh for the study abroad course, Rediscovering Harry Potter: Sources, Landscapes, and Legacies. Visit the English Department Study Abroad page to learn more.
Women's History Month Reading: Women in Words- March 2016
Ladies Night in DreamlandAs part of Women's History Month in March, the English Department sponsored Women in Words, a reading, panel discussion, and reception. This event showcased the writings of women from the English Department. Creative Writing faculty member Sonja Livingston read from her book, Ladies Night in Dreamland. Flash readings were presented by students Breanne Haer, Devin Lyle, Nikki McQuire, Kat Moore, and Amanda Muir. A panel discussion on publishing featured Sonja Livingston, Brandy Wilson, and Kat Moore. The event was moderated by Ashley Roach.
Nickole Brown Reading and Craft Talk- February 17th, 2016
On Wednesday, February 17th, the River City Writers Series welcomed author Nickole Brown for a reading and craft talk. Brown's works include Fanny Says, an "unleashed love song" to her late grandmother, her debut novel in poems Sister, and Air Fare (co-edited with Judith Taylor).
Annual WordSmith Writing Olympics- February 29th, 2016
On February 29th, University of Memphis instructors Cathy Dice and Tammy Jones held the annual WordSmith Writing Olympics, a writing competition for Memphis-area middle and high school students. Learn more about WordSmith here. 2016's WordSmith competition included a children's book drive to benefit Porter-Leath, which helps promote literacy and health for underprivileged families in the Memphis community.
Advertising, Amusement, and the Arts of Persuasion in Eighteenth-Century London Newspapers- March 2nd, 2016
On March 2nd, University of Memphis English Department professor Dr. Darryl Domingo presented "Advertising, Amusement, and the Arts of Persuasion in Eighteenth-Century London Newspapers." This discussion was a part of the Marcus W. Orr Center for Humanities Brown Bag Series, which allows faculty to present and get feedback on current research.
Fall 2015
Dr. Alexis De Veaux Reading- September 29th, 2015
On September 29th, The English Department hosted Alexis De Veaux, who gave a talk and a reading from her novel Yabo.
Discover Your Major Day 2015
English Department advisor Dale Williams created a mesmerizing display for Discover Your Major Day on October 1st! The English Department won Honorable Mention for their fortune teller-themed display.
