Writers series showcases Southwest faculty work
![Languages and Literature Faculty Creative Writing Showcase featured the poetry and short story work of (l to r) Jerome Wilson, Ryan Stembridge, Daniel Gillespie, Susanna Jackson and Terry Ansbro.](/stories/scoop/2020/02/images/langlit1-small.jpg)
Languages and Literature Faculty Creative Writing Showcase featured the poetry and short story work of (l to r) Jerome Wilson, Ryan Stembridge, Daniel Gillespie, Susanna Jackson and Terry Ansbro.
The Languages and Literature Department did not have to search very far for contributing authors for its fall semester writers showcase. Instead of inviting a visiting noted author to read his or her work, the department decided to stay closer to home this semester and showcase some of its own creative writers.
Held Nov. 25 in the Farris Auditorium, the 2019 Languages and Literature Faculty Creative Writing Showcase featured the writings of Southwest faculty Terry Ansbro, Daniel Gillespie, Susanna Jackson, Ryan Stembridge and Jerome Wilson who read selections of their poetry and short stories.
Associate Professor of English Doug Branch, who coordinates the series, said this is the first time they have featured the work of their own faculty. “It’s very cool and I hope we do it more often,” Branch said. “We have a multi-talented department.”
Instructor Susanna Jackson read from her debut novel, “The Growing Rock,” which tells the story of a 14 -year-old girl living in Tennessee during the Great Depression, and a published short story called “Lunch Break,” which deals with eating disorders. Both works have characters who must deal with mental health issues, a topic of particular interest to her. Jackson has battled depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder. “The mother (in The Growing Rock) goes through a lot of depression,” Jackson said. “And I wrote “Lunch Break” to help raise awareness of an issue close to my heart.”
Instructor Ryan Stembridge read his story “The Void,” a science fiction tale about a mysterious hole that appears in the floor of the main character’s bedroom. Stembridge said he grew up reading mostly science fiction and fantasy, but ironically did not have a chance to write either of those genres while he was working on his MFA degree. “They take fantasy out of an MFA program so you can focus on character,” Stembridge said. “So I had to reeducate myself. The fantasy element simply adds a way to have a big something in it.”
About 40 students attended the showcase. Branch said that the event was a great opportunity for students to hear the work of their professors, who are also writers, and ask questions. “The event raised the students' appreciation of what we teach in our classroom and what they stand to learn.”
Susanna Jackson reads selections from her work.
Ryan Stembridge reads selections from his work.
In This Issue...
- FROM THE PRESIDENT
- Southwest Foundation takes center stage at cityCURRENT Signature Breakfast
- Welcome aboard, new team members
- Human Resources to kick-off redesign of employee experience in 2020
- MENTAL HEALTH CORNER: Charting a new path
- HIPs teaching methods a ‘game changer’ for student success
- Project M.O.S.T. hosts “De-Stress” fest during finals
- SGA Angel Tree Program brings holiday spirit to Alton Elementary students
- FACULTY: Schedule Library Instruction session for your students today
- STUDENTS: Print 2019 Tax Forms in My.Southwest portal
- AACC names Chef Steven Leake a 2020 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty recipient
- KUDOS: Memphis Grizzlies select VP of Student Affairs Jacqueline Faulkner for annual HBCU Empowerment Award
- US Secret Service trains Southwest SERT team on workplace security
- U.S. State Department selects Dr. Christopher Hastings specialist assignment
- THEC awards Southwest and TCAT-Memphis $145K Veteran Reconnect grant
- Writers series showcases works by Southwest faculty
- Students travel to state capitol to learn law-making process
- Early FAFSA completers win book scholarships
- Culinary arts graduate opens ‘Cool Beans’ coffee shop in Cordova
- Southwest and TCAT-Memphis tout growth and expansion at 2020 Legislative Luncheon
- Southwest establishes Innovation Funds to fuel success; Now accepting grant applications
- Scholarship recipients thank Foundation donors for making dreams come true
- Southwest celebrates the holidays with faculty and staff open house
- Women of Worth accepting new members
- Shelby County Government and Southwest Allied Health and Sciences drill nursing students on disaster triage
- Business and Technologies joins National Cyber Watch Center
- SALUQI CORNER: Saluqis start new year with impressive wins
- Southwest: In the News
- 32nd Annual Carter G. Woodson Award Ceremony is Feb. 13