Each year English faculty, English majors and other members of the Millikin community make recommendations of excellent reads for the summer. Check out this year's recommendations. Download a PDF copy (2mb).
Collage Spring 2006 Issue Reading
Collage has an issue release party and reading on Thursday, May 4, at 6:00 pm in the Fireplace room! We bid farewell to two wonderful editors, Josh Wild and Emily Skaja, who will be graduating this May. See the photos!
Faculty Forum with Dr. Carmella Braniger
(Re)Inventing the Self through Contemplation and Reflection
Featuring Dr. Braniger, Deanne Drechsler, Katie Schmid and Nichole Coers
Thursday, April 27
7pm-8:30pm SH303
“. . .when one writes one reads what one writes, just as in saying something one hears oneself saying it.” --Michel Foucault
Rushed to master particular ways to communicate, we are often deprived of the opportunity to reflect meaningfully on the reading, writing, speaking and listening we do. Michel Foucault discusses the role of reading and writing in the cultivation of the self, and introduces the arts of self-writing and correspondence as practices for discovery, inquiry and the acquisition of knowledge about self/other relationships.
This faculty forum will present the audience with the chance to contemplate the value of reflective practices for both students and teachers. Dr. Carmella Braniger will discuss the ways in which she used Foucault’s notions of reflection to develop a new course for the English Department: Contemplation Writing. Since disciplinary discussions often overlook the ways in which students can engage in and practice contemplation, Deanne Drechsler, Katie Schmid and Nichole Coers will join Dr. Braniger and share their experiences as students, writers and future teachers. As members of the Fall 2005 class, these Millikin students were engaged in reflective, contemplative writing and drawn into the wonder of discovery, which is foundational for life-long learning.
Wednesday's Gender Studies speaker
In honor of Women's History Month, the Gender Studies Program at Millikin presents the following event:
“From N.O.W. to Now: A Personal Journey”
A Talk by Millikin's own Candace Baker
Wednesday, March 29, at 6:30 pm in ADM/Scovill 315
The National Organization for Women was an especially vital force for women's rights in the 60's and 70's. Candace Baker experienced the polarizing effects of this movement first-hand during her years as the first female sales representative for Procter & Gamble in central Illinois. Her talk will reflect on her own experiences as well as today’s continually changing job culture. Questions, discussion and refreshments will follow.
We hope to see you there!
Dr. Kimberly Woosley Poitevin
Assistant Professor of English
Co-coordinator, Gender Studies
Book Signing &
Reading
Jackie Spinner & Jenny
Spinner (MU '92)
Iraq War Book Reading
Monday • March 6, 2006
7:00 pm
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
On
Monday, March 6, 2006 the English Department and Alumni
Office hosted a special event at Millikin featuring Jenny
and Jackie Spinner. These twin sisters from Decatur have
both sought writing professions. Jenny Spinner, a writing
major alum (MU'92), is now a Writing Professor in the English
Department at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Her
sister, Jackie Spinner, is a journalist who has been covering
the war in Iraq in recent years for the Washington Post.
They have teamed up to write a book, TELL THEM I DIDN'T
CRY, published as a Lisa Drew book by Simon & Schuester,
which deals with the war in Irag from both the front lines
journalism and the home front perspective of the twin sister.
MILLIKIN PARTICIPATES FOR THE THIRD YEAR
IN THE
NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN CHAIN
On Monday, February 6, Millikin University students, faculty,
staff, and administrators joined readers around the world
in a reading marathon celebrating African American literature
and literacy. The event was sponsored by Millikin’s
Office of Multicultural Affairs/International Student Services
and the Department of English.
In 1990, the first African American Read-In Chain was sponsored
by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers
of English. In 1991, the National Council of Teachers of
English joined in the sponsorship. The Read-In has been
endorsed by the International Reading Association. Over
a million readers of all ethnic groups, from 49 states,
the West Indies, and African countries have participated.
The goal is to make the celebration of African American
literacy a traditional part of Black History Month activities.
The Read-In took place in the following locations simultaneously
from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.:
Grill 155 - Lower RTUC
Staley Library
Further information about the Seventeenth National African
American Read-In Chain is available on the National Council
of Teachers of English web site, www.ncte.org/prog/readin
The
Fall 2005 Senior Writing Majors will be exhibiting their
portfolios and invite you to attend a reading of sample
work at Pilling Chapel on Monday, December 19 from 2-3:30pm.
Come see the amazing portfolios showcasing writing majors'
best work. Free refreshments provided. For a preview of
senior writing majors and their work, see the Fall 2005
web site profiles located at:
The
Fall 2005 Haiku Writing Roundtable class invites you to
attend the final reading in the Fireplace Room of RTUC on
Wednesday, December 14 from 2-3pm. Come enjoy the collections
of haiku written this semester. Free refreshments provided.
For a preview of student work, see the Fall 2005 Haiku Roundtable
web site located at:
Global
Magazines Exhibit
Wednesday • Dec. 14, 2005
12:30-1:45 pm • Common Grounds
Coffee Shop
Professors
Purna Banerjee and Mike George invite you to an exhibit
of their classes' final projects. The Global Literature
students collaborated with the Computer-Aided Publishing
students to produce magazines on global issues. We will
exhibit the projects on Wednesday, December 14 from 12:30
to 1:45 in Common Grounds. Please stop by to see the excellent
work these two classes did.
So
please come by and see the result of the students' "wild
strain of imagination," as Samuel Johnson might put
it.
Writing Center Workshop
'Yikes!
Finals!' Dealing with Test Anxiety
Dr. Anne Matthews
Thurs., Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.
SH302
If
you are freaking out about final exams, this may be just
what you need. Dr. Anne Matthews has put together and will
conduct an incredibly useful workshop that will help you
develop and apply strategies that will ease the pain/anxiety/fear
of final exams
Global Magazines Exhibit
Global
Magazines Exhibit
Wednesday • Dec. 14, 2005
12:30-1:45 pm • Common Grounds
Coffee Shop
Professors
Purna Banerjee and Mike George invite you to an exhibit
of their classes' final projects. The Global Literature
students collaborated with the Computer-Aided Publishing
students to produce magazines on global issues. We will
exhibit the projects on Wednesday, December 14 from 12:30
to 1:45 in Common Grounds. Please stop by to see the excellent
work these two classes did.
So
please come by and see the result of the students' "wild
strain of imagination," as Samuel Johnson might put
it.
Poetry Reading
The
Black Student Union Presents 3rd Annual SOUL SPOKEN an evening of poetry
Friday • Nov. 18, 2005
8:00-12:00pm • The SPEC
The
Black Student Union is back with it's 3rd Annual SOUL SPOKEN
event, an evening of poetry. The occasion requires nothing
but you and preparation to enjoy yourself at the grace of
SOULtry sensations of Ron "Chill" Williams of
the Soul Expressions Tour and DJ Tone, presented by The
Network along with other invited special guests.
If
you have original pieces that you would like to perform,
please feel free to bless us with your presence. Admission
is free, so spread the word!! You never know, this night
may very well just be that remedy you were looking for!
Don't Miss it!!!
Visiting
Novelist
An
STD English Honorary Event Martha
Miller a reading & book signing
Wednesday • Nov. 9, 2005
7:00pm • East Room, RTUC
The
reading was held in the East Room of Lower RTUC from 7-9,
Novemver 9, 2005.
Marha
Miller talked about publishing, about being a niche writer
and read from her newest book entitled, Tales
from the Levee, about gay life in Springfield, Illinois
downtown area in the 60s and 70s.
Here
is a slight preview of the book from her web site:
Hate, lust, bigotry, love—it all happens in that place
in town called the Levee. When
the Orpheum Theater in Springfield, Illinois, was demolished
in 1965, it marked the end of one era and the beginning
of another. On the street where it stood, lesbians and gays
found a haven in a strong, caring community, built from
the need to separate from a society unwilling to accept
them. Tales from the Levee tells these peoples’
stories, spanning the years 1965 through 1976, when the
Fifth Street Levee emerged as a thriving Midwestern center
for the lesbian and gay culture of that time. It’s
all here: entertaining and outrageous real stories of love,
lust, bigotry, and death.
She
answered questions and STD brought refreshments for folks
who wanted to talk with her and who bought the book signed
by the author.
Poe In The Cemetery
An
STD English Honorary Event a Poe reading • tarot
reading • refreshments
Thursday • Oct. 27, 2005
7:30 pm
If you are one of the unfortunate
few who may be unfamiliar with Poe, I'll give a quick recap
of what we'll be doing...
Sigma Tau Delta, your very favorite English Honorary Fraternity,
will be putting on a grand spectacle of the creepiest kind.
On the evening of the 27th, we will gather round Calvary
Cemetery and invoke the macabre genius of Edgar Allen Poe!
This year, we will be featuring (hopefully!) our ferociously
fabulous faculty readings, lots of terrifyingly tasty treats,
and we are very pleased to introduce this year the Tarot
card stylings of the mystical Mistress McKenna! And there
will be some very very cool t-shirts for sale, as well!
We are simply beside ourselves with excitement! You are
guaranteed quadruple your money's worth! Just, you know,
ignore the fact that you won't be paying for any of this.
— Julie Trueblood, STD officer.
Saturday
• Nov. 5, 2005
reception & reading at 3pm
Lidia
was born and reared in Poland and studied at Jagiellonian
University in Cracow (Master's Degree in the History of
Art). She also studied at The Art Institute of Chicago.
Now living in the US, since 1980, Lidia works as a graphic
designer. She paints sumi-e, writes haiku and enjoys life.
Lidia's sumi-e and haiku have been exhibited and published
in the US, Japan and Poland. Lidia is a member of the Haiku
Society of America. She has also designed and illustrated
books of haiku as well as calendars, chapbooks and othe
works.
Millikin
Students and Faculty
Attend the Chicago Humanities Festival
Several Humanities students and a couple
of Millikin faculty, Dr. O'Conner and Dr. Robert Money,
attended the Chicago Humanities Festival in November, 2005.
Here is a photo of English majors Emily Skaja, Katie Schmid,
Maureen Ritter, and Deanne Dreschler with one of their favorite
writers, Margaret Atwood. (No, Margaret Atwood is not a
Millikin student, but don't you think she fits in quite
well in this photo?)
Graduate
School Panel
Speical Advising Day Event: Are English Graduate School Studies
for You? Kimberly
Poitevin • Stephen Frech • Peiling Zhao
3-4 pm, November 8, 2005
Shilling 420
Come to an informal informational meeting about grad school
programs/applications in literature, composition, and creative
writing. Bring your questions!
English Faculty Workshops
English faculty join together for workshops
to share teaching methods, pedagogical expertise and to
improve the quality of English courses and the curriculum
at Millikin.
4-6pm
Monday, September 12 - CWRR learning outcome goals 4-6pm
Monday, November 14 - English majors self study plans 4-6pm
Monday, February 13 - CWRR self study plan
4-6pm
Monday, April 10 - writing major committee workshop
9-5pm Thursday, June 1 - CWRR program development
9-5pm Friday, June 2 - CWRR program development
2005-2006
Events
Poe
in the Cemetery
a
Poe reading • tarot readings
Thursday • Oct. 27, 2005
7:30-10:00 pm see
the photos
Visiting
Artist/Writer
Lidia
Rozmus
Haiga Exhibit & Haiku Reading
10am Haiga Master Class
Saturday • Nov. 5
3pm reading
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Gender Studies Program at Millikin presents the following event:
“From N.O.W. to Now: A Personal Journey” by Candace Baker
Wednesday, March 29
6:30 pm in ADM/Scovill 315
Bilingual Poetry Reading
Dr. Carmen Aravena & Dr. Stephen Frech will be celebrating National Poetry Month with a bilingual poetry reading at the Decatur Arts Center on April 19 from 6:30-9:00pm. The address is 125 N. Water Street.
English Faculty Forum on Contemplation & Poetry
Dr. Carmella Braniger, Assistant Professor of English and Director of CWRR, will present a faculty forum on contemplation and poetry. This forum is April 27 at 7pm at Shilling 303 (SH303).
Collage Spring Issue
Collage would like to invite you to our release party this Thursday, May 4, at 6:00 pm in the Fireplace room, RTUC. We will be debuting the Spring 2006 issue. See the photos.
English
Department Picnic
Fairview
Park
Noon, Wednesday, May 10
Global Haiku Honors Students
Haiku Reading
Friday, May 12, 10:30am
Fireplace RTUC
Chile Immersion
Course
Dr. Anne Matthews and
Carmen Aravena take MU students to Chile to study thepoetry
of Neruda
On
Monday, March 6, 2006 the English Department and Alumni
Office hosted a special event at Millikin featuring Jenny
and Jackie Spinner. These twin sisters from Decatur have
both sought writing professions. Jenny Spinner, a writing
major alum (MU'92), is now a Writing Professor in the English
Department at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Her
sister, Jackie Spinner, is a journalist who has been covering
the war in Iraq in recent years for the Washington Post.
