Jeremy Davault
writing

Jenn Hartenbower
English Edcuation

Matt Wheeler
writing

Jeremy Davault

email address: jdavault@millikin.edu

Provide a brief bio/overview about yourself:

I spent much of my collegiate career involved with COLLAGE, first as an eager student submitting to COLLAGE (and being rejected (twice)), then as an editor, and then as editor-in-chief. I have enjoyed every experience with students and faculty in the English department throughout my time at Millikin, and I believe that I would be nowhere near as awesome as I now am were it not for their support and encouragement.   

What are your plans for the next year and the future?

I plan on finding a job, somewhere, eventually gaining enough experience to seriously contribute to the editing and production of a literary magazine. I also attend on going to graduate school within the next few years.

What did you like best about English studies at Millikin?

I’m glad Sigma Tau Delta brought back Poe in the Pit/Cemetery. It’s a great way for everyone to get together and goof around, share laughter and all that good fall stuff. I absolutely loved the time I spent in Dr. Braniger’s Intro and Advanced Creative Writing classes, as well as her Contemplation Writing course. 

Who are your favorite authors?

On the poetry side, definitely Tony Hoagland, Attila Jozsef, Osip Mandelstam, Charles Bukowski, and my all-time favorite, Larry Levis.

Fiction: William Faulkner, George Saunders, Ernest Hemingway, David Sedaris, and Breece D’J Pancake (if you don’t recognize this name, look him up).

What do you like to write?

I primarily write poetry, but I try to dabble in fiction, though I don’t make it a habit of showing people the (mostly) unfinished prose that I write. Poetry has been, for the longest time, a source of suffering and joy for me, and I cannot see myself quitting it any time soon.

What is your advice for future English majors?

Read, write, and SUBMIT TO COLLAGE. If you’re a writing major (or if you just love to write), take as many writing classes as you can; submit to Collage; get yourself out there. Try to find a way to read some poems to a group of a people. Get your reading going in your house or your apartment. Also, take the time to get to know the faculty here. Every one of them is eager to support and encourage you, and they’re all great to talk to. It would really be a shame to graduate Millikin, it being such a small university, without feeling in some way like a part of a community. Write, read, and share your writings and readings with everybody who cares to listen.  

Jenn Hartenbower

Eemail address: anjasummers40385@yahoo.com

Provide a brief bio/overview about yourself:

I'm 22 years old and from Tonica, IL. Don't feel bad if you have never heard of this town; most people haven't.  I have an older brother and sister and am the proud Auntie Jenn of six wonderful little girls. I am also very active in my local community theatres, where I have performed, stage managed, been on stage crew, built sets, and co-directed. My next adventure will hopefully be assistant directing and stage managing my theatre's summer production of Beauty and the Beast. I've been at Millikin for 4.5 years, and during my time here I studied abroad in London for three months and visited Ireland. I have had some of the best experiences of my life thanks to Millikin, as well as made lasting friendships with peers and professors.

I'm an English Education major, and for as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a teacher. I always had a list of things that I wanted to be as a child, but teacher never left the list. Yes, I was one of those kids who loved to play school growing up. When I was about 4 years old, my mom was jokingly telling me that I needed to become a doctor or at least make lots of money to take care of her. I looked at her and said, �gMommy, it's not worth the money if I'm not happy.�h Since then, I have never really looked back. My family has been known to say that I have teaching in my blood. I guess they were right, because I love it, and I can't wait to bring life, laughter, and fun into the classroom.

What are your plans for the next year and the future?

My plans for the next year consist of being at home and helping my mom take care of my father who has been very ill the past few months. I will probably do some substitute teaching and work on making connections with the local schools. In April or May, I will probably start looking for teaching positions. Beyond finding a teaching position, I am contemplating graduate school in Ireland in a few years.

What did you like best about English studies at Millikin?

My favorite class was Dr. George's Global Lit and Tolkien class. I came away from that class with so much knowledge, but also a desire to know more and continue researching and working on the paper I wrote for the class. It was the first time in my life that I ever wanted to revise and expand on a paper for a class.

I worked in the Writing Center for 2 years, and I absolutely loved it. It was great working with the variety of students we have at Millikin. Tutoring had it's stressful moments, but it was worth it. I will definitely miss working there. The meetings were always very interesting. There was this one time, but sorry I can't tell you about that. What happens at the Writing Center stays at the Writing Center.

Who are your favorite authors?

J.R.R. Tolkien, Margaret Atwood, J.K. Rowling

What do you like to write?

fiction generally with some type of fantasy element and occasionally poetry

What is your advice for future English majors?

Always take the opportunity to talk with your professors, especially if you are struggling with a paper. A conference with them will usually leave you with way to much to say. If you get the chance to study abroad take it. It is so worth it, even if it means you will be here an extra semester or a year. Trust me, it is well worth it. Trust your professor, they know what they are talking about, and when all else fails, visit the Writing Center. They're good people.