English Department — News & Events

 

News

Sigma Tau Delta Trivial Pursuit and Cookies

On Wednesday, September 9, English Honor Society members welcomed majors and minors to the new school year with its annual Trivial Cookie Pursuit: free cookies to anyone willing to answer a Trivial Pursuit literature question. 

 

 

 

Graduate Student Social

Nearly fifty graduate students and faculty enjoyed ice cream and conversation at the Graduate Student Ice Cream Social on Friday, August 28. Track orientation sessions for new students followed.

Left: Kara Garbe (Creative Writing) and Youssouf Magassouba (TESL) converse at the social.

 
 

 Left: Matt Weerts (Creative Writing) and department chair John Banschbach pose for a photo.

 

Right: A future grad student?

 

 

 

 

Professor Terry Davis

to retire following spring semester

Terry Davis joined the faculty in 1986 as a visiting writer-in-residence. In 1988, his position was converted to tenure-track, and he has taught here ever since. His primary teaching areas have been fiction writing and screenplay writing, but he has also taught general education literature and form and technique courses that concentrate on prose.

Terry grew up in Spokane, Washington, where he wrestled for Shadle Park High School. He later attended Eastern Washington University, the University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop, and Stanford University, where he received a Wallace Stegner Literary Fellowship. He taught and coached wrestling at the high school level, as well as taught writing at East Carolina University. His first book, Vision Quest, was made into a popular film starring Matthew Modine. A new edition of the novel has just been released to go along with recent re-releases of his second and third novels, Mysterious Ways and If Rock and Roll Were a Machine.

Terry was scheduled to read with his colleagues Diana Joseph and Richard Terrill at the April 16 Good Thunder reading; however, he was unable to participate, so Roger Sheffer read tributes from Terry's students as well as passages from If Rock and Roll Were a Machine.

One student said of his influence: "I've learned from his constant reminders to be a generous writer, to ground the reader in a story." Another said, "His encouragement kept me going when I wanted to quit. I'm fortunate to have studied under him." Another said, "How do you repay a person for the kindness and encouragement they have shown you over the course of your graduate school years? It’s impossible. But I will forever be encouraging young writers because of the kindness and wisdom that Terry gave to me."

We all wish Terry the very best!

To learn more about Terry Davis and his work, visit his website.

 

Technical communication program attracts 100% online learners from around the globe

by Katie Tormala

For the past six years, students in the technical communication certificate and degree programs have been able to complete their certificate and degree requirement entirely through online study. During that time, the program has grown significantly, attracting 100% online learners from more than 20 states, many of whom are experienced technical communicators. More recently, the program has gone international, attracting 100% online learners from around the world. Two of these learners are Samir Gaonkar and P.J. Cook.

Samir Gaonkar

Samir is a manager in information development at Symantec Software India Pvt. Ltd in Pune, India. He earned a bachelor of engineering degree from the Government College of Engineering in India. Samir decided to pursue a master’s degree in technical communication because, “I was getting the feeling of stagnation.” He sought out programs offered online because Indian universities do not offer graduate programs in technical communication.

Like many people who enter the program, Samir found the program online. “I had an initial discussion with Dr. Nord after which things fell in place. He was instrumental in sorting out the various procedural issues that I faced, and even with the short time that I had at my disposal, I was able to start my classes on time. Dr. Stoynoff and various other folks also helped iron out a few admission-related creases,” Samir said. Some of the challenges he has faced and overcome include early class times (5:30 am to 6:30 am), ordering books for classes, internet speeds that are slower in India than the US, expenses, and a few administration hiccups that affect international students.

Samir started the program in spring 2009 and has taken two courses at MSU. He is quick to mention that “There have been stimulating discussions over chat and email, and I have benefited immensely from their (both teachers and students) knowledge and experience. Most of the students are from diverse fields and bring with them information and perspectives which I wouldn’t have been privy to.” In addition, he has noted major differences in teaching styles between faculty in India and the US, and he has been especially pleased with the emphasis on research in his technical communication courses.

In closing, Samir says, “Boy, am I glad I joined this course? You bet!”
 

P.J. Cook

P.J. teaches English in Feng Yuan, Taiwan. He holds an associate’s degree from Ricks College (BYU, Idaho) and a bachelor’s degree from BYU, Hawaii.

“I chose MSU because I felt they had a strong technical communication program. It was offered online and it was an appealing program from a financial point of view,” said P.J. He also commented that Dr. Roland Nord was also instrumental in helping him choose MSU, stating that Dr. Nord was very patient and understanding when he had numerous questions.

P.J. started the program in spring 2009 and says, “I have taken two classes so far and all I can say is that the MSU technical communication program is OUTSTANDING! I love it and I am having a ball! I get to meet great people, share ideas about technical communication, and I am learning how to develop my skills as a technical communicator. I think the professors are great and what they have to offer future technical communicators is a wealth of knowledge.”