Josie Rawson 2010-11 Minnesota Writer of Distinction

The department is proud to host poet Josie Rawson as the Creative Writing Program's 2010-11 Minnesota Writer of Distinction, made possible by the Edelstein-Keller Endowment. Rawson's latest book Unrest was published by Graywolf Press; her first book Quarry won the AWP Donald Hall Prize in Poetry and was published through the University of Pittsburgh. Rawson lives in Northfield, MN, and is a master gardener through University of Minnesota Extension. She also is a freelance art and book critic.

Peterson Defense

Becky Peterson will defend her dissertation "Experimentation, Identification, Ornamentation: Avant-garde Women Artists and Modernism's Exceptional Objects," on Monday, August 23rd, at 3 pm in Lind 207A. Her adviser is Professor Paula Rabinowitz. All welcome for the public portion.

2010-11 English@Minnesota Writers Series!

The Department of English announces a terrific line-up of literary authors reading and talking on campus this year through the English@Minnesota Writers Series, including those established (Joan Didion, Nuruddin Farah) and up-and-coming (D. A. Powell, Dan Chaon), with elder craftsman James Salter (pictured) the intriguing wild card. As always, all our events are free and open to the public; no tickets necessary!

Chakraborty Defense

Madhurima Chakraborty will defend her dissertation "Liberative Ideology and Postcolonial Writing" on Thursday, August 19, from 10 am to noon in Lind 202 (Wright Seminar Room). Her adviser is Professor Timothy Brennan. All welcome.

Schumacher Receives Bellagio Residency

Professor of English Julie Schumacher has been awarded a residency at the Bellagio Center in Italy for spring 2011. Schumacher plans to work on a collection of short stories, "Passengers."