Calvin Student and Grad in Perspectives

In this month's issue of Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought, two essays begun in Calvin English classes are going public.

"One Hundred Pages Waiting," a piece by first-year writing major Bob Vander Lugt, describes his journey back to college after 30 years away. The piece began as an assignment in English 295.

"Everything That Rises," by Alissa Goudswaard (2010 grad), is a meditation on breadmaking and place that began as part of Alissa's creative honors project in 2009.

Are Calvin student writers taking over this fine magazine, with its distinguished history rooted in Calvin's brilliant tradition of Reformed thought? Yeah, probably.

Congrats to Bob and Alissa!

Schmidt Brings Home the Bling

Our own Prof. Schmidt appeared in the department again this morning after spending several days in New York for festivities surrounding the National Book Award announcements.

Alas, he didn't win. But in his Craft of Writing class last week, he did correctly predict the winner in the Young People's Literature category. So that counts for something.

Actually, the nomination is a huge honor, as all the Calvin media coverage rightly suggests. With two Newbery nominations and now this--along with many, many other honors and awards--you would think he would get a little cocky. Not so. As he himself remarked this morning, "I live in Alto."

The National Book Nomination festivities required Schmidt to wear a tux and enjoy a lamb dinner at a swanky New York ballroom, to which he was delivered in a limousine. He also brought home a gorgeous plaque and rather impressive medal. Look for them in a department display case soon. This indicates how the rest of us are attempting to take credit for Gary's accomplishments.

For more coverage of the National Book Awards and video of interviews with Schmidt and the other nominees, check out the NBA website.

A Calvin Student in The Banner

Our own Sarah Vander Molen is making her publication debut this month with a lovely piece called "World Sorrow," appearing in the magazine of the Christian Reformed Church, The Banner.

Sarah is an English Secondary Ed major/Linguistics minor. Congratulations, Sarah!

Congrats to Prof. Klatt

Prof. Lew Klatt's poem "Andrew Wyeth, Painter, Dies at 91" has just appeared in the new Best American Poetry 2011 collection.

The poem contains a reference to a "cloud of ink," the title of Klatt's Iowa Poetry Prize-winning collection.

Read the full text of the poem here.

A writer? But how will you make a living??

Have a ready answer for your relatives--attend some English Department vocation panels this semester!

The department has invited off-campus guests to address working in their fields and to offer tips for how to prepare for such work.

We're also planning a hands-on workshop to help assist all of you who are looking for internships to use the career services database; at that same workshop, we'll be unveiling some of the new internships that have been developed this summer.

So please put these on your calendar. And plan to join us next Thursday for finding out more about working in publishing. There may even be treats!!

"Working in Publishing"

Thursday, Sept 15

3:30 p.m.

CFAC 264

"Finding Internships as an English Major: Practical Help"

Thursday, October 6

3:30 p.m.

Room TBA

"Working with Books" (aka libraries, the book trade, etc)

Thursday, November 10

3:30 p.m.

Room TBA

Job Opening at Nature Preserve

These job opportunities are coming fast and furious now. The Program Manager at the ecosystem preserve is looking for an assistant to do writing and communications for their programs. Evidently feeding animals is also involved. This is a work-study opportunity.


Contact person is Jeanette M. Henderson, Program Manager.

Check out the job description and this website.

Another Opening: Internship at COS

Writers,
If you are looking for an internship this fall, either for the internship course or otherwise, consider this opportunity. (Within walking distance of campus, too.)

Job title: Ministry Assistant
Duties: Research various church websites and Assist with the re-design of COS church website. Research and help create a database of various levels of Basic English songs, liturgies, etc. Research VBS Curriculum. Research and evaluate our ESL assessment tools.

Interact and work with a variety of church ministries/staff.
Assist with event planning,: promotion, press releases, etc.
Develop Resource Lists and Bibliographies.
Work on other tasks/projects as time allows.

Qualifications: Follows instructions, team player, responsible, attention to detail, excellent writing skills, good people skills, meets project deadlines.

Contact: Lori Wiersma
Church of the Servant Christian Reformed Church
3835 Burton SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
lori.wiersma@coscrc.org