Later this week, University of Portland will have the pleasure of welcoming distinguished author, poet, and essayist, Luis Roberto Urrea to campus as a part of the Schoenfeldt Distinguished Speaker series. Luis Roberto Urrea is a Mexican-American best-selling and critically acclaimed author of poetry, fiction, and essays. Born in Tijuana, Urrea now lives in Naperville, IL, with his family. Some of his notable achievements include being a Pulitzer Prize finalist for nonfiction in 2005, a member of the Latino Literature Hall of Fame, and … [Read More...] about Q&A with Luis Alberto Urrea
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Humans of the English Department
Jordan Ducree '23 “I had an ‘aha!’ moment about a different major when I was really little—I’m a double major in biology and English. When I was little I would watch documentaries about forensic science, and I wanted to do work like that, so I knew I needed to study biology in order to pursue that. But in the background, my love of writing and reading was always there, and in high school I became more passionate about it. So that was something I was really into and wanted to study as well. English was something I wanted to learn more … [Read More...] about Humans of the English Department
Spring 2020 Course Preview
While spring semester often comes with rainy walks to campus, wet jeans, and damp textbooks, English majors have an exciting course selection to look forward to despite the changing seasons. Find out the specifics about the interesting course offerings so that you can make careful selections as you register for classes this fall. Here we go! Advanced Writing with Father Patrick Hannon Summary of course. English 311 provides an opportunity for English majors to practice their creative writing skills. Students will draw on their … [Read More...] about Spring 2020 Course Preview
Q&A with Tracy Daugherty
The new school year is well underway, and it’s almost time for another visiting author for our Readings and Lectures Series! On October 2, author and biographer Tracy Daugherty will speak in the bookstore at 7:30 pm. Daugherty’s most recent work is The Last Love Song: A Biography of Joan Didion, published in 2015. This was the first published biography about Didion, an American essayist and author. Daugherty has also written several other biographies, telling the stories of figures such as Donald Barthelme, Joseph Heller, and Billy Lee Brammer. … [Read More...] about Q&A with Tracy Daugherty
Valedictorian Caroline Holyoak Encourages Class of 2019 to Seek Uncertainty
Holyoak after the 2019 Commencement ceremonies, surrounded by sister Lauren, brother Carter, and father Bill. When now-alumna Caroline Holyoak addressed her class in a valedictory speech during Commencement last May, she recounted the lessons learned in her English 112 class before 3,000 UP graduates, faculty, staff, and family. With an English and Spanish double major and Psychology minor, Holyoak managed to find time to work as a Writing Assistant in the university's Learning Commons, as the Student Coordinator of the First-Year Workshop … [Read More...] about Valedictorian Caroline Holyoak Encourages Class of 2019 to Seek Uncertainty
New Year, New Home: English Faculty Make the Move to DB Hall
How the English Department is adjusting to life in the newest building on campus Dundon-Berchtold Hall opened its doors to students this week and held its first classes on Monday, finally fulfilling the demand for additional classroom space to meet the needs of the growing student population. Crews have been working through the summer to get the new building ready for classes this year, and thanks to their hard work, Dundon-Berchtold, or "DB" hall is officially open. Made possible by a donation from Amy Dundon-Berchtold and 1963 alumnus … [Read More...] about New Year, New Home: English Faculty Make the Move to DB Hall
Writers 2019: Out Now!
So...have you heard about Writers? If you’ve interacted with me in any capacity over the last four months, you probably do, because I’ve been talking about it basically nonstop since January. If you’ve been lucky enough to avoid me for that long, then let me fill you in: Writers is a student-led literary journal featuring art and writing submissions from UP students and published by the English department once a year, and I’ve had the privilege to be a part of the Writers editorial team for the last three years. This Tuesday, it was … [Read More...] about Writers 2019: Out Now!
The English Major: Embracing Wonder and “Why?”
As our resident medievalist, Dr. Cara Hersh helps animate older texts for newer audiences, persuading contemporary students to take a closer look at the simultaneously age-old and currently relevant insights distilled in some of her favorite works. She enables thought expansion and rhetorical rabbit holes through her job, and opts for an English department mindset while outside of the classroom. Hersh's keynote speech from the Sigma Tau Delta induction ceremony this past Monday, March 25th, urges English students and … [Read More...] about The English Major: Embracing Wonder and “Why?”
Q&A with Laura Read
I don't know about you, but after a spectacular string of sunny days, it's hard readjusting to the norm of Portland's rainy drizzle. While we all wait with crossed fingers in anticipation of summer, make sure you don't miss your next opportunity to hear from talented writer and poet, Laura Read, who's coming to campus to give a reading on Tuesday, March 26th at 7:30 pm in the bookstore. I had the honor of corresponding with her, and her lovely responses to my questions are below. Not only does Read, residing in Washington, like yours … [Read More...] about Q&A with Laura Read
Literary Fact of the Day
On March 11th, 1744: Sotheby's English auction house in London held its first ever auction of books. They came from the private collection of a Baron of Alderley. Originally named Baker and Leigh, this auction house claims to have sold the library that Napoleon took into exile at St. Helena. It not holds locations internationally, including sites in Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong.While their first auction may have been books, they sell off art, jewelry, real estate, and fine collectibles. Bidding on most occasions is open to the public, and … [Read More...] about Literary Fact of the Day