This spring, the Department of English is pleased to honor the achievements of our Graduating Class of 2022. The seniors below were each nominated by individual faculty members of the Department of English for this public recognition. Click on a profile below to learn more about these students’ time as English and Film Studies majors at MSU, their inspirations, passion projects, and future plans. They also have advice for their peers, and reflect on graduating during this unprecedented semester in MSU’s history.
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Hui-Ling Malone: “I’m so grateful to have had April in three of my courses during the last two years. Despite her personal challenges, she’s showed up in powerful ways! April’s dedication to equitable and antiracist education was evident throughout her presentations and willingness to be vulnerable in my classes. This semester, she volunteered to help make our class book and spent countless hours making that happen! I’m excited for April’s career in teaching!”
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Steve Rachman: “April is a lively participant in class and was willing to share important ideas and a fine ability to connect a personal experience to a literary concept we were discussing. She had a bumpy time when the pandemic struck in the Spring of 2020, but she persevered and did good work. This showed tremendous character and determination.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
Transformative, Inspiring, Intentional, and Intense. I did not start off at Michigan State University, but transferring here was the best decision I’ve ever made for myself. I knew I was going to remain an English Education major, but I was nervous that I wasn’t going to fit in – I couldn’t be more wrong! I have loved every second of my English classes here, getting to know my professors, classmates, and the community that the English department has here has made me a better student and person. Even through the late nights writing essays, reading complicated literature, and the hours spent in my professors office hours, I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
Be open, be honest, be vulnerable. Take everything in and enjoy it in the moment because it won’t last forever!
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
My capstone English class(es) (ENG 408 and 413) – Specifically ENG 413 (Writing Our World) we have been exploring genres of writing and writing our own stories within that genre with the goal of publishing all of the classes pieces in a book at the end of the semester! It has been so fun to explore writing different genres, like memoirs, poetry, even horror, and try new things with writing that I would not have without this class.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
I hope to become a high school English teacher on the West Coast, hopefully San Francisco. I can’t wait to spend my life with students and get to learn from them and grow together. Someday I want to spend some time living and teaching abroad in Europe.
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during COVID. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
I am not a good online learner, especially when i’m at home, alone, in such an uneasy and scary time. I hated online class and not being able to be around people or be in a classroom. It was weird coming back to campus in the fall and being in person and meeting these people i’ve only known through a screen for the last 3 semesters. I think our cohort really bonded over this experience once we were in person, and learned how to navigate life changing instantly, together. It felt like I was mourning a year of isolation and a year of school that was supposed to be normal, like how I had imagined it as a kid, but also learning how to be flexible, how to adapt, and make the most of a really tough situation.
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Steve Rachman:” Vaughn is a fine student with a good aptitude for thinking about critical/theoretical studies and then applying them to literary texts. He wrote strong papers on Camus’ The Plague and another highly intelligent one on True Grit and the Western working through Richard Slotkin’s Gunfighter Nation. He also has taught me so much about the deep intricacies of Meme-culture!”
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Steve Rachman: “Megan is a subtle reader with a keen eye for interpreting texts. I always looked forward to her fresh slants on whatever we were reading on a given week. During the pandemic, I recall one week where Megan was leading discussion and there was a tricky situation with the virtual set-up. I knew I could count on Megan to basically run the class via zoom and it worked it remarkably well. She is a fine student, and I cannot wait to hear of her accomplishments.”
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Steve Rachman: “Case is funny, talented, and smart. He is also a theater major along with his English degree and has combined his interests in many ways. I was thrilled to see him play the role of Prince Charming in an MSU production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” He has a knack for combining his interests and writing intelligent papers. By far, the most remarkable work, has been his development of a curriculum dealing with “Existentialism and Mental Health.” In this work, he is creating a fully-fledged course with materials and lesson plans, using existential literature and drama to address emotional crises and explore its therapeutic values. Like everything Case does, it is highly original, wide-ranging, thoughtful, serious and yet full of good humor with a healthy regard for life’s absurdities. These are excellent qualities to get us through these times.”
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Hui-Ling Malone:“In just this academic year, Kat has taken three of my classes. Throughout the year Kat has been laser focused and highly engaged. I can see that she completes assignments not just to “check the boxes” but so that they are meaningful to her growth and the wider teaching community. Kat has excelled all while being a mom of two young girls! The memoir she wrote in ENG413 was raw and breathtaking- I was shook for days! I am so excited for Kat’s future and how she will impact the field of English Education.”
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Steve Rachman:“George is a very thoughtful and creative student with cool taste in literature and music. For my class, he wrote a delightfully trippy and highly imaginative adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, entitled “Harry and Gretta.” It was a road-picture in miniature. He also created a remarkable film-poem “Black Bottom” for the “Filmetry” show. With such first-rate work, I am sure we will be hearing from George.”
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Steve Rachman: “Danielle’s acuity with a text was immediately evident in the class she took from me and the independent study we have conducted virtually during the pandemic. Her analytical intelligence was seamlessly combined with an emotional intelligence in such a way that thought and feeling were always present in her papers and comments. She likes to write short essays that pack a punch and is working hard in the “fourth genre” of creative non-fiction. The work she has done can be searing, as she is writing about the pandemic, but it is animated with telling details and tremendous heart. Her writing has taught me so much and always makes me think and feel. I look forward to reading her in print as she goes on.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
My time as an English major at MSU was enlightening. I came to Michigan State as a pre-med neuroscience major, but I quickly realized that my heart and mind belong in the grey area that literature and creative writing afford. I loved the challenge of creating new ways to express universal experiences. I loved celebrating the brilliance of my peers. Most of all, I loved the sense of safety and community within those spaces.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
I am grateful for all of my English professors. I could dedicate a paragraph to each of them, but in lieu of that, I will pay tribute to the three whom I most directly credit my outlook on humanity. Professor Ray Levy taught ENG 223, “Introduction to Creative Non-Fiction Writing.” Both the content and the professor changed the course of my undergraduate education. Spring 2019 was Professor Levy’s last semester teaching at MSU, but halfway through the summer I received an email that included a nine-page reflection on my final project for their class. This dedication touched my heart, and I will always be grateful to them.
Professor Divya Victor taught my advanced poetry writing course during the entirely virtual semester. Not only did she vastly improve my understanding and appreciation for crafting poetry, she also encouraged us to be kind to ourselves – a lesson I really needed to hear. One week, after a particularly difficult assignment, her feedback read “I am sensing that your heart was not in this assignment. Let’s have a meeting and figure out why.” Instead of punishing students for struggling, she took the time to meet with us and offer subtle changes in perspective that softened the world a bit.
Professor Stephen Rachman taught ENG 210 and then worked with me on my senior thesis project. Of the many ways he has prepared me for the next phase of life, his patience and empathy are the things I will carry with me the most. When I felt defeated and uninspired – quite common feelings during the pandemic – he understood that suffering and helped me use it to create something. I could not have written at all this year, if not for Dr. Rachman’s gentle encouragement and insightful perspective on the human condition.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
Be open to new experiences and perspectives. I took a creative writing class for elective credit my freshman year, and I ended up creating a senior thesis paper from the work I did in that class. Anything can change your perspective; anyone can change your life. You just have to be willing to learn from it all.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
I am currently finishing up my honors thesis. It is a creative nonfiction portfolio about the experience of attending college during the pandemic. What excites me about this project is its honesty. It is an unfiltered look into my own experience as well as the experience of my peers; hopefully it is one that many could engage with and feel less alone in a world where loneliness threatens to consume us.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
Eventually, I would like to attend graduate school for mental health social work and work with children in schools. Before that, I would like to save up and see as much of the world as possible. I want to speak to people with experiences different from my own and see places that make me question my perspective on humanity. My hope is that by the time I return to school, I will understand my purpose in this world and have found the drive to get me there.
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
Each time something unprecedented happened over the last two years, we were told any change would be temporary. We were conditioned to crave this unachievable “return to normalcy”; however, I found that the most useful tool I had at my disposal was my perspective. Once I started treating each new experience as a new challenge, rather than a temporary setback, I was able to live my life in its new state of normalcy. My cat joining my Italian zoom class became a daily occurrence. Morning coffee and reading in the living room became roommate quality time because we didn’t have to commute to campus. Figuring out the ways in which we could benefit from this changed world allowed us to reclaim a sense of control that we had lost.
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Steve Rachman: “Natalie is a great student. I will never forget the fall semester of 2020 with the chaos of the election and the terror of COVID-19, Natalie produced, among her many good works, a really searching and intelligent paper on John Donne and Margaret Edson’s play W;t and ,for an Honors project, a pandemic video diary that was so searing and powerful that when the anthropologists from Mars come down to learn of these times and the ways of earthlings, they could watch her piece and be edified.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
I have loved my time as an English major at MSU! I started out my undergrad only studying Psychology, and it wasn’t until halfway through my sophomore year that I decided to add on an English degree as I realized it was truly what I wanted to pursue. I’ve found so much fulfillment since then, with everything to the smaller, more intimate classes to the creative opportunities and new connections with like minded peers and professors. The classwork was very enjoyable, and I almost always looked forward to the assigned readings and the papers I wrote.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
I have especially enjoyed my time with Emily Yates, Prof. Rachman, Dr. Silbergleid. Emily taught the first ENG class I ever took at MSU, and it was the best introduction to the department that I could have asked for. She was so creative and energetic and made me very excited for what lay ahead in my degree. I had Prof. Rachman at the beginning of the 2020 school year where everything was fully virtual, and he was incredibly sympathetic and flexible as our class dealt with the adjustment. The in class conversations that he facilitated were some of the best I had, and with his teaching I was able to write a paper that got me a scholarship! I’m currently in a class with Dr. Silbergleid, and she has been such an awesome mentor in my creative work, and has made me excited to pursue my goals in the creative writing field. I appreciate being able to learn from such an accomplished and developed writer.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
Make connections in your classes! Being comfortable enough to speak with your peers and instructor and participate in class discussion is one of the best parts about English classes. The smaller settings allow for really amazing and in depth conversation, so take advantage of it. Keep up with your reading, too!
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
I’ve been working on creating a small chapbook of poetry in remembrance for a close friend that I lost to COVID in my Advanced Poetry Writing class this semester, and it has been a great experience. With in class activities, small group workshops, and feedback from Dr. Silbergleid, it’s turned out to be an eye opening and creatively motivating process. I’ve learned so much in just one semester, and I’m really excited to see the final product.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
After taking a couple of months off to travel and enjoy the freedom of not being a student, I would love to get a job in editing for either a publishing company or creative literary journal, while pursuing my creative endeavors of publishing my own work. I can also see myself entering into an MFA program in a few years!
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
It’s one thing to graduate from college, but it is another thing entirely to graduate from college during a pandemic. It’s crazy to look back on my undergrad experience and see it split almost perfectly in half of pre and post COVID, and to think of how much has changed both personally and academically. However, it also makes this accomplishment so much more meaningful! The support and sympathy from my professors and their willingness to work with students to find the best solutions during these times has honestly been the most helpful thing of all– thank you English professors and advisors!
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Steve Rachman: “Maria is the kind of student you look forward to hearing from in class. She is so lively and full of energy and intelligence. I always enjoyed reading her papers and hearing what she had to say. She loves literature and music I recall a terrific little piece she created all about Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” for her “UnderCover” podcast. She is planning on teaching and if I were a student again, I would make sure I got to be in her class.”
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Hui-Ling Malone: “Maria is a gem. I was happy to have her in two of my courses this year. She always brings a positive attitude and a seriousness around issues of equity and antiracism in education. Yet, she does not lose sight of maintaining joy within the classroom. Maria is a leader in the community, as shown through her involvement with NCTE, and a light for us all. Maria volunteered to help make our class book a reality, despite how hectic the end of the semester is. I can’t wait to see how Maria transforms the field of Education.”
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Emery Petchauer: “Enthusiasm, optimism, consistency – that’s Maria Manolias! She has been THEE student leader in the English Education program during her time on campus. From planning events that drew a national audience to keeping community among students when campus went virtual, Maria never missed a beat. We are so grateful for her and will continue to feel the impact of her legacy even after she walks across the stage at gradation.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
My time has an English major has been uplifting. Every person I interacted with, student or professor, has helped me become the person I am meant to be. I grew so much as a person through our English program and am so grateful to all the people who supported me.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
NCTE @ MSU is the standout for me. This organization is the reason for both my personal and professional growth. I still remember walking into my first meeting as a freshman, terrified but excited to finally meet other English Ed people! The group connected me to educators across the world and to amazing people on our own campus. I feel much more prepared to be a culturally sustaining, anti-racist educator.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?Get out there and try new things!
Take that 400 level class, even if you’re scared. Join a club (NCTE @ MSU is great, in my unbiased opinion). Get close with your cohort and your classmates: they truly become family. On the whole, maximize your time at MSU!
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
I’m currently finishing up a writing portfolio for English 413. Dr. Malone has encouraged us to write in a variety of styles and I’m so grateful for her support! The class has reignited my love for creative writing and brought me peace about my past. Our class will be publishing all of our work in a book!
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
After graduation, I’ll be student teaching at a middle school in Berkley, Michigan! Following that, I hope to teach middle school English, centering my students and my love for Young Adult novels. Empathy as at the heart of who I am, so I hope to instill some empathy in my students (it’s what the world needs!). Part of me hopes to publish something somewhere along the way. I’m unsure on what my Masters will be–educational psychology and library sciences are both interesting to me. Either way, I know my future is bright.
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
My time at MSU feels splintered. Freshman and sophomore year me is *much* different from senior year me. The pandemic ended a lot of great things in my life, but also led to so much self-discovery and self-love. My zoom classes, particularly English 302C and English 481 with Professor Rachman, kept me connected to everyone on campus and fostered comforting relationships. Some parts of me feel like I missed out on so much by only really having 2 years of college. But I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason. Without the time spent by myself in quarantine, I would not be comfortable in who I am today.
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Kaveh Askari:
“In his work with me, Garrett has demonstrated an intellectual curiosity for a broad range of courses and an ability to produce valuable creative work in just about any opportunity that emerges. I relied on Garrett’s generosity (as many of us have) throughout the recruitment season to provide a student’s perspective on the program. I am excited to see what he does with current projects in Michigan and Cambodia, and I look forward to hearing news about the next phase of his career in Los Angeles.”
Faculty Shout-Out by Professor Pete Johnston: “Garrett’s intelligence, humility, sense of humor, and creative capacity are such a treasure. It’s been a joy to get to know him better and get the chance to work with him, both inside and outside the classroom. I’m not at all surprised that he was in high demand for graduate film programs; he’s an integral part of the next generation of storytellers. I feel proud to know him now at the beginning of what I’m sure will be a long and impressive career.”
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Bill Vincent: “Garrett took two of my classes–Advanced Screenwriting and a senior seminar based on the films in the Spring 2021 Film Collective. In the first he demonstrated great creativity and skill in writing a script based on the early life of Michael Jackson. His work in the seminar. both written and oral, was exemplary–eloquent, intelligent, and incisive.”
There is no way of hiding it that my time at MSU has not been an easy and typical experience. There were mental health hardships and a pandemic made it feel the world was a bit against me receiving a degree. But being here in the Film Studies department eased and removed that worry with the amount of support and guidance of professors. In sophomore year, I had no confidence in my filmmaking where I almost gave up and went into accounting, and I suck at math. But a screenwriting class with Rick Blackwood and finding the film lab where I met one of my closest friends to this day reinvigorated my passion. Ever since, I have been just going for it and building the confidence that I had once lost from a “wonderful” mix of racial inequality, lack of belief in my skills, or just plain ol’ haters. It has led me to this point…
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
I cannot exactly say a singular class, professor, or experience stands out because they have all been integral parts of my education. They have all prepared me for the next phase of life by being different approaches to teaching film while maintaining a similar topic; the ability to take in all the readings, films, and even life experiences and apply them.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
Some advice I would give to future majors is to trust your gut and be confident in what you do, say, and create. There will always be an opposing force who will try to stop you or hinder you in doing your best, do not let them. Also, know how to balance yourself. Life is crazy enough so if you can, manage your time and stress in order to pull the best from you.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
The biggest project of the year has been the Fiction Filmmaking capstone “The Broken Diamond” I have been working on. As a camera operator, it has been an intriguing experience to learn and work on a larger crew and film. Outside of that, I have been working on my short film “Ignored” as an independent study as the director and writer. Crazy, I know, to do in my senior year but it has been a welcoming challenge. Balancing two massive projects has put me in a place to learn my strengths and find the perfect balance as a creative. I cannot say there have been moments of ease because it would be a lie. But, that is the beauty of filmmaking; the ability to mess up, struggle and create beauty from it and about it.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
Wow… discussing hopes and aspirations post-grad is a scary question. I can start off by saying I have completed the first hope and goal I have had since high school by attending the UCLA TFT program for screenwriting in Fall 2023. That is the first step of many in my post-undergraduate life because, after that, I do not know what is in store for me. My biggest aspiration is to be happy in everything I do and creating dynamic films celebrating the everyperson for the good, bad and the ugly through film is what makes me happy. So, attending film school in Los Angeles is a door that is open to a house of endless possibilities that I cannot wait to explore.
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
Being a senior during a pandemic has been difficult as a filmmaker, so working in smaller groups has been an interesting challenge. It has made it for me to build skills outside of writing and directing I would not have time for if the pandemic did not happen. A resource for me during the pandemic that was extremely helpful was the film lab. To most, it was assumed to be closed, but it was open for a good bulk of the pandemic where there were chances to check out equipment to go out and film. Film has always been my happy, secure place so having the lab open felt I still had a safe place during a time of uncertainty.
Faculty Shout-Out from Dr. Hui-Ling Malone: “I’ve had the pleasure of having Kylee in three of my courses this year. Despite two of the courses being mostly on Zoom, Kylee brought great energy every time! She was deeply invested in learning and engaging even when it was difficult (for example, the horror she did not want to write, but did great!). She also helped put together our class book. I appreciate Kylee’s enthusiasm and commitment to educational equity. I know she will make a great teacher!”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
Inspirational. Wonderful. Not long enough. I would not be the person I am today without the MSU English Department. The classes I’ve taken and the people I’ve met have all helped me grow exponentially. This program is such a positive influence in my life and I’m sad to say goodbye, but excited to see the next chapter of my life unfold from the experiences I made here.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
Out of all of my professors, Dr. Hui-Ling Malone definitely stands at the top. I was lucky enough to take three classes with her in one year, and I honestly wish I could’ve taken more! Her English classes emphasize the important parts of the language- communication and community. Writing is about telling a story, not just having the perfect grammar, and I have her to thank for reminding me that. Through the College of Education, Dr. Joanne Marciano will always be the light that inspired me even further to be the best teacher I can be. I cannot wait to have more classes with her as I continue my studies as an English Education Intern.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
Make connections! Reach out to your fellow classmates, your cohort, and especially your professors! My English Education cohort is full of the most amazing people I have ever met, and I definitely would not have the same college experience had I not gotten so close with all of them. English professors are sensational. Get to know them personally, ask your professors questions, and really take advantage of the opportunities you have here at MSU. You’re taking classes with some of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet- students and teachers!
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
In English 413 with Dr. Hui-Ling Malone, we’re constantly creating. We’re writing short story pieces, creating websites, and I am in a small group of students compiling our writings into a book. We cover seven genres of writing, and write a piece for each one. At the end, we choose one piece to publish. It’s intimidating, but invigorating to know that my writing could be read all over the world. This class truly reminded me how much I enjoy writing, and has inspired me to write outside of our class requirements, especially through poetry. Similarly, over the past year I have been working extensively to build my repertoire of lesson and unit plans that emphasize community and creativity. I am incredibly passionate about teaching lessons that are not only engaging, but welcoming.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
Next year, I will be moving to Grand Rapids to complete my English Education internship year. I will be working in a secondary English classroom and cannot wait! I absolutely love teaching and am so excited to pursue this career post-graduation. I hope to use my classroom to inspire the next generation of world changers, and make the world a better place one novel at a time.
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
The pandemic impacted everyone globally, and moving back home after my first year on campus was the last thing I wanted to do. During the quarantine period, Zoom was my best friend. I would Zoom my friends constantly to keep up with them. Zoom gave a sense of normalcy attending class because you could interact with people freely- and always made sure I kept my camera on. Now back on campus, I appreciate my in-person classes even more than before. I have so many friends in my classes and I missed being able to be present with them. The sense of community is stronger now, I believe, because people felt so isolated for a long time. Reach out to your friends and family to remind them (and yourself) how much you appreciate them. You don’t know for certain if it will be one day or one year before you see them next.
Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Steve Rachman: “Fiona has taken several classes with me, and it is always a delight. She is one of the most consistent and interesting commenters on literary texts. Any teacher who has Fiona in class is lucky. She was at the center of all of our most interesting discussions. She has a mind that gravitates toward historical as well as literary research and in my class on adaptations, she created a very incisive and clever A-B-C book based on one by Hans Christian Anderson. I am sure she will do much good.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
I have absolutely loved my time as an English major at MSU. It was engaging and gave me new experiences and allowed me to have conversations with people different from myself. I think this is the beauty of English because it allows for cultural literacy and communication in an open and academic forum.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
Professor Rachman’s classes are unlike any other I have taken. His ability to generate hard hitting questions that left me thinking for days was incredible. He asks not just about the readings he offers, but about the world as a whole. In this way, he prepared me to look at people and life in a new sense and to always question and consider my surroundings and place.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
Always do the readings even if they seem difficult. Even just an attempt can teach you about something you had never considered. Also, do not be afraid to offer your opinion because it can lead to amazing conversations.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
I wrote my capstone research paper about women in modern historical thrillers. I am fascinated and encouraged by the ever increasing presence of strong lead female characters in roles never expected for them. Women are rising as leaders and it is so exciting to watch through literature and film.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
While I am not quite sure of where my path is going next, I am excited to explore the possibilities this degree offers me. I want to teach about the wonders of literature and history, so perhaps I will find myself in education.
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
Graduating in the midst of a pandemic is no better described than bittersweet. I have been mourning the loss of my brief time on this beautiful campus, a place I now consider a second home. At the same time, I feel overjoyed at the moments I did get to spend here, and I am excited to see what is next in my life. For me, the most useful resource during this time has been my advisors in the English department. They encouraged me to persevere and were always there to quell my anxieties when things started to feel overwhelming.
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Robin Silbergleid: “In the classroom and out, Mary Claire Zauel displays exceptional artistic ability, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to her area(s) of study. As a nonfiction writer, she’s a master of the “hermit crab” form, using the shape of Buzzfeed quizzes and resumes to grapple with complicated subject matter. Her writing is as vulnerable as it is smart.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
My time as an English major and Film Studies minor has been incredible. I have been able to grow so much as a student, person, and creative thanks to the opportunities and support I received here.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
I took FLM 334, Introduction to Screenwriting, my first semester here at MSU, and it changed the course of my life. I took the class on a whim and initially felt so out of place. I had never read a screenplay before, let alone written one. However, as soon as I started writing my first screenplay, I fell in love. I instantly knew that I had found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and I immediately added the Film Studies minor so that I could continue my study of film. That course inspired my dream to become a screenwriter. My professors Dr. Divya Victor and Dr. Robin Silbergleid also stand out as having an incredible impact on my time here. These two phenomenal women supported, encouraged, and inspired me every step of the way, and I would not be the person or writer that I am today without their help. The most important lesson they taught me was this: sometimes what you are most afraid to write about is exactly what you need to.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
My advice would simply be to dive in. MSU has so many opportunities to offer, from student organizations to a wide variety of courses. I would highly recommend going outside of your comfort zone to engage with opportunities or even genres that you normally wouldn’t. Even if you’ve never written in a particular genre before, take the intro class and try it! You never know what you might fall in love with, or what one particular class, organization, or faculty relationship might lead to later on. There is so much to experiment with, so much to try, and that is really what your time here is for.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
Since I will not be graduating until the fall, I did not complete a capstone or thesis yet. However, I did have the opportunity to put together a cumulative portfolio of my creative work to submit for scholarships, and that was an extremely gratifying experience. What excited me about that process was getting to read back through all my old work and watching my growth throughout my time here. It was almost emotional, as it made me proud of the writer I have become.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
My dream job is to write for Saturday Night Live! However, I am open to many things post-graduation. I know that I want to be a published author someday, ideally in the genre of creative nonfiction. I would love to someday return to MSU as a distinguished alum and possibly judge the MSU Creative Writing Awards; I think it would be amazing to inspire writers the way that I have been inspired and to be able to give the awards that I have been lucky enough to receive. I am potentially looking into getting my Master’s in Creative Writing, but the future is largely open for me right now!
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
The pandemic has obviously had a huge impact on my college career. In terms of resources, I have definitely relied on my support system for guidance, whether it be my fantastic advisor Andrew Murray, supportive professors, or just family and friends. Having a strong support network has helped me plan while also remaining positive despite the circumstances, and I know that I wouldn’t have been able to graduate early without their help.
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Ellen McCallum: “Mitchell made his mark in the FLM452 course on Tilda Swinton, consistently joining in the discussion with stellar insights and judiciously challenging questions for his peers. He is one of those students whose contributions to the conversation raises the game of everyone, because his efforts are inclusive, intellectually hospitable, and substantive. He has continued to thrive in FLM381, where his questions on our discussion board are invariably thinking through some specific, original, and generative angle on the reading. I admire and appreciate Mitchell’s curiosity, drive, and warm collegiality.”
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Bill Vincent: “Mitchell Griffith is one of the best students I have ever had. He wrote two amazing screenplays in FLM 334 and FLM 434. He also shone in the senior seminar for the Film Collective in Spring 2021. He is a polished writer with a fine analytic mind.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
My time as a Film Student at MSU has been incredibly enlightening. I’ve discovered a real passion for knowledge through dissecting and analyzing the world of film, and in turn, gaining new perspectives about the world around me. The faculty and the courses they offer are very well rounded, and always leave room for you to find yourself within them. All in all, my time at MSU has been life changing, and I will always hold my time here in high regard.Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?Ellen McCallum, Bill Vincent, Kaveh Askari, and Joshua Yumibe. Ellen McCallum’s contemporary theory classes have been the most challenging courses I’ve taken at MSU, but also the most rewarding. There is something special about the way that Professor McCallum teaches: always pushing her students to engage with the texts beyond their limitations and to elucidate deeper, more nuanced understandings. I often found myself excited to come to class and see how Professor McCallum chose to present the texts, and what questions she poses to make you question some of the fundamental preconceptions you might have about the way the world works. I attribute much of my personal growth to her classes. Professor Bill Vincent was the instructor for all of the screenwriting classes I took at MSU, and remains one of the most influential teachers I’ve had throughout my education. His dedication to the craft of writing rubs off on each and every one of his students, and due to this, I found a true passion for writing screenplays under his direction and alongside the other students in his classes. He is one of the wisest, kindest, and honest people I’ve encountered in my life, and I hold all of his advice close to my heart. If you have the opportunity to take any of his classes, I highly recommend it; you might find that you too, can be a writer. Professor Kaveh Askari and Professor Joshua Yumibe are the lifeblood of the film studies program here at MSU. As both professors served as directors of the film department (and professors during their respective semesters), you truly receive a world class education at the hands of some truly fantastic instructors. They have encyclopedic knowledge of world cinema, and consistently surprise me with the anecdotal experiences and perspectives of which they’ve dedicated their lives to. To be honest, it feels misplaced to point out the individual accomplishments of each of these professors separately. When in reality, they have all come together to make my time here at MSU the best period of my life. To each and every one of you, a sincere Thank You. You have cultivated a love for the world that I hadn’t come to know until I met you all.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
I can only speak for those who are seeking to pursue film studies, to whom I would say: this major is not easy. The courses, the faculty, the theory, your education, is only what you allow it to be. If you work hard, push yourself, and understand that knowledge is a power you can use as a tool to better understand the world around you, things will fall into place. And, coming from a place of honesty, you might find yourself questioning the validity of your studies (perhaps as a result of outside influences), but you have to have faith in your desire to learn. If film impassions you to get up every morning, then allow yourself the faith to trust that feeling, and carry it with you every day. And finally, allow yourself the privilege of an open mind, because with it, you can travel to the edges of the world, learn from the stories of countless others just like you, and start to understand how our physical world translates into the world of the moving image.What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? This year I have been working extensively on a queer focus of film studies. I’ve chosen this focus in film studies because of a personal passion, but also so I can learn from my predecessors about the queer universe that has long been subjugated to innaccesibility by the world we live in. This genre of film tells stories in a way that is not bound by the traditional, hegemonic standards that have long defined what film can be. This focus has led me to a study abroad in Amsterdam, where I plan to focus on queer visuality as a means of declaring our presense in the world, and the spaces that arise when that visibility is allowed. Additionally, I hope to continue these studies into a graduate education, in hopes that I will one day help usher queerness into the world in a way that demands respect and acknowledgement. On a more physical level, I’ve had the opportunity to write a number of screenplays through MSU’s film studies department, and in turn, pursue a career where I can write and create films. I’ve had the opportunity to present my work to Rob Tappert, an MSU alumni, filmmaker, and production company owner. Having this opportunity was one of the most exciting things to ever happen to me, and I never thought I’d be able to achieve what I have here at MSU. That being said, I want to give a specific shout-out to professor Bill Vincent for aiding me in this process and always reminding me to have faith in my imagination, and to “never stop writing”.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
After graduation I hope to continue my education in a graduate program where I’ll be able to put my mark on the field of film studies and perhaps, one day, follow in the footsteps of the faculty at MSU to help film students like myself. I also hope to one day either write films for production, or to aid in the writing process of video games as we come into the age of electronics and digitality. I think much of the work that we do here at MSU is meant to prepare us for the practical world of film, whether it be as screenwriters, film theorists, film historians, or even just cinephiles. For those who have a true passion for cinema, any job where you can find yourself working with film should impassion you and solidify your faith in the study.
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
If I’m being completely honest, studying film during the pandemic was a bit of a blessing in disguise. Of course, this period has been hard for everyone, and we’ve all had to overcome hardships in order to allow ourselves to thrive. But working with the professors here at MSU gave me a reason to see the beauty in cinema, and in turn, beauty in the world around me. There is a specific kind of connectivity that comes with film: it allows us to feel emotions as a collective, to address issues that we come to understand as a collective, and to understand how we as individuals fit into the vast world we live in. So really, studying film during the pandemic helped me come into who I was as a person through a rigorous dedication to my studies. This harks back to some of my earlier comments on the nature of film studies here at MSU, but if you allow yourself to dive into film studies with an open mind, you’ll find that it is more fun than work, and this is what helped me through the pandemic. In terms of resources, I found a lot of flexibility with my professors, who understood that the pandemic was raising different concerns for each and every one of their students. That being said, I think a lot of the film students who studied over the pandemic became very close with their professors, as online classes were some of the only times we had to come together and dote on the art of cinema as a collective. It is with confidence that I can say we all made the best of a precarious situation, and came out victorious.
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Jyotsna Singh: “Congratulations to Parker Renberg for going to Harvard Law School. I enjoyed having him in my class on Medieval and Renaissance Literature. Parker’s passionate engagement with literature coupled with a deep intellectual curiosity was evident in the fine work he produced in the class. I recall his fine analysis of Shakespeare’s Macbeth as well as another study of the medieval theme of the “Art of Dying” as particularly memorable! I am sure these insights and his love of literature will continue to inform his intellectual and personal journeys ahead.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
I have loved my time as an English major at MSU. I double majored in English and Economics, and my biggest regret is taking so many of my English classes in my first two years at MSU. I was exposed to so many different types of texts across courses, and the variation in how you are challenged across courses is one of the aspects I found most valuable about the major. You’re always reading and writing, but you end up doing it in so many different ways and contexts.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
I think my most impactful experience was with Dr. William Johnsen on the 2019 Literary Studies in Dublin study abroad program. Reading texts by literary figures such as Yeats and Joyce in the same places that influenced the writing of said texts was something I found unexpectedly powerful, and helped me connect and engage in a way I wouldn’t have otherwise. Compounding this engagement was Dr. Johnsen’s infectious enthusiasm regarding our studies, without which Ulysses certainly would have been much more intimidating! Another class I thoroughly enjoyed was ENG 368: Studies in Medieval/Early Modern Literature with Dr. Jyotsna Singh. Although we had to shift to remote instruction halfway through the semester, I still enjoyed the experience and greatly developed my comfort with close reading. Dr. Singh’s guidance really helped me develop an ability to do detail oriented analysis and know that this will help me succeed in law school. I’ve also always been drawn to Shakespeare, so the opportunity to read and analyze Macbeth, Richard III, and more was just an added bonus.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
I would advise future English majors to do research and write on what interests them specifically, as many English classes give at least some amount of flexibility as to what you actually write about. The essays I wrote that I am most proud of and felt I grew most as a writer were those where I was passionate about the topic and text. Writing on things you want to write about will also drive you to become a better writer and a better thinker.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
In my capstone course, ENG 484C, I have been working on research centering around Daemonologie, a text written by King James VI of Scotland. My project has centered on how shifts in understandings of witchcraft and associated persecution reflects changing power structures in early modern England. As part of my research, I have also drawn heavy connections between the cultural attitudes of the time period and the legal frameworks that developed alongside them. I think the multifaceted nature of this project has been the most interesting part of it, as my sources are varied enough to include both theoretical writings on how witches operate, accounts of specific trials and executions, and legislation on witchcraft from the time period.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
This fall I will be attending Harvard Law School, and am interested in doing environmental or antitrust legal work.
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
The pandemic has definitely been a challenge to navigate, even upon returning to classes. I think the biggest point of emphasis for me was developing a healthy routine for eating, sleeping, and exercising. We live in a very difficult time, and although basic regulatory stuff won’t necessarily stave off stress and anxiety, neglecting it can cause problems in a hurry.
Faculty Shout-Out by Dr. Robin Silbergleid: “Ally Blovits is a quiet force. She’s a poet with the gift of finding exactly the right metaphor, one that arises from the organic details of the subject she’s describing. Her poems astutely explore family and human relationships, moving through adolescence and young adulthood, and arriving at self-acceptance.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
I had a wonderful time as an English major at MSU. I was finally able to take classes in what I wanted to learn the most, which is creative writing. Its fascinating to see how far I’ve grown in my writing over the past few years, this year especially. I think freshman year me would be in shock to see all that I can do now, and that is such a gratifying feeling.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
The classes that stand out most to me were intro to poetry writing, advanced poetry writing, and advanced fiction writing. Those classes improved my creative writing skills more than I could have imagined. Talking those classes I was like wow, this is what I’m here for. There’s a unique joy in being in a room full of people who are just as passionate as you are about your favorite thing. Getting to read what my peers were writing and hear about all the amazing things they were working on was so cool. This year I also got to work on my thesis with Dr. Silbergleid who has taught me so much and has been incredible to work with. It really has been a highlight of my year, which is not what anyone is expecting when I say I’ve been working on a thesis project. Outside of the classroom, a really valuable experience has been being a part of the slam poetry club and the CUPSI (College Unions Poetry Slam invitational) team. Through them, I got to perform my work at open mics and slam competitions which is not something I’d had the chance to do before. It was amazing to connect with the greater creative writing community outside of MSU.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
The best advice I can give is to remember that ultimately, this is your time and to spend it doing what is going to be the most beneficial to you. Seek out new experiences and explore outside your bubble. You never know what will connect with you; it might be something you’ve never heard of. Take classes you want to take not just whatever will fill the requirement. Doing what is most beneficial to you also means to take care of yourself. Advocate for yourself and what you need. Grades are important, but your mental health is more important. Don’t be afraid to take time for yourself to rest and recover.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
This year I finished two poetry chapbooks (which is a small collection of poetry usually around 15-30 pages. The first was through the Create! microgrant program and is called When Does the Waiting End? and the other, called Stitched Together is my thesis I’ve been working on all year. Working on bigger projects has been really exciting for me because it’s a glimpse into what I’d like to do outside of school. My thesis especially has been so rewarding to work on. It’s a very personal work, as most of my poetry is, that focuses on identity, friendship, and family. I’ve learned a lot about myself writing it and I’ve learned a lot about how to create and finish a longer project. The long process of revissing is usually rushed in classes so understanding how that works closer to the real world is an invaluable skill. I loved working on my thesis and I’m excited to see what I can do with it after graduation.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
My dream has always been to become an author. I have wanted to write books for as long as I can remember. Everything I’ve done has been working towards that goal. I would eventually like to write both poetry and fiction books and have them published for people to read. Seeing my book on the shelf at a bookstore is the ultimate dream. I would also love to continue working in the slam poetry community. It wasn’t something I was experienced with before this year, but I have loved being on the CUPSI team and performing my work. MSU has given me some wonderful knowledge and experience and I can’t wait to see what I can do with it post-graduation.
If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the strange experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
Having most of time at college during a pandemic was definitely a strange experience. Having to balance making the most of my time here and keeping myself and my loved ones safe is an extremely difficult thing to manage. My family has been my best resource over the past few years. I also had the opportunity to work on my own project with the Create! Microgrant program to create a poetry chapbook in response to Covid 19. Having the space and time to explore my feelings regarding the pandemic and being able to grieve through writing poetry was an incredible experience for me. It really helped me process in a creative way. It was the first big project I’d done knowing people would read it which was a huge step for me as a writer. Even though there were any things I wasn’t able to do at college because of the pandemic, I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I had and all the people that made those possible.