English
The English Department welcomes you to explore our pages and links and contact us about the many avenues to explore in English Studies. English is a comprehensive discipline. Its scope encompasses a study of the evolution of the language itself, the various types of writing, the literature in English (poetry, drama, fiction, and essay) and the comparative study of literature. As a course of study, English enables people to express themselves clearly and to read their ideas and those of others in an appreciative and critical manner. The ideas expressed are boundless, the content emotive, as well as rational. Contact our secretary, Carrie DeFigio, or our chair, Margo Wilson, for more information.
Above: Student worker Ashley Malec greets visitors to the department. Below, Left, Top Row: Students like Emily Martik have opportunities to explore their academic interests in literature, journalism, creative writing, secondary education -- English, and composition classes. They also can participate in the University Honors program. Below, Right, Top Row: Computer science student Douglas Raffle, History student Veronica Kerekes, and English students Carol Mannix and Ta'lor Pinkston attended the English Association of Pennsylvania State Universities' Undergraduate Conference at Kutztown University in Spring 2012. Below, Left, Bottom Row: New student Raeanne Rankin is welcomed by Deven Bourquin. Below, Right, Bottom Row: Professors Sarah Downey, Kurt Kearcher, and Christina Fisanick discuss the Celebration of Student Writing. 
B.A. in English Concentrations:
Secondary School Certification in English
For students who want to teach English or to teach in an allied area, secondary school certification in English and certification in communication (speech communication and theater) are offered in cooperation with the College of Education and Human Services.
English Department Faculty Projects and Achievements
The Spororadic Encyclical and Other Projects
The Sporadic Encyclical
Check out The Spore to find out what the English Department faculty have been up to.
Dr. Sarah Downey Takes the Cake
Some of Dr. Sarah Downey's students baked a "wug" cake to make the fictitious linguistics creature a little more real -- and tasty!
Recent Retirees
In Top Right Photo, Dr. Madeline Smith, the English Department's former chairwoman, celebrates her retirement in Summer 2011. In Top Left Photo, Professor James McVey reads her farewell poem. In Bottom Left Photo, Alan Natali and his wife, Betsy, celebrate his retirement after the Spring 2012 semester.
Dr. Kurt Kearcher Takes Students to Peer Tutoring Conference
Read more in The Spore, above, about Dr. Kurt Kearcher’s trip to Miami with four Writing Center students. They presented at the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing. Kearcher is a member of the group’s steering committee. In the photo, from left, are: Kearcher, Leann Rerko Orris, Theresa Bush, Adam Kavulic, and Nate Folkemer.
Dr. Mark Aune's Shakespeare Class Stages Performances
Dr. Mark Aune’s Fall 2011 Shakespeare class ended the semester staging in-class productions. See more photos in The Spore, above.
Here, performing the conclusion from Romeo and Juliet, in the first photo below, from left, are: Jennifer Lewellen (Paris), Jacob Hetzer (Balthasar and Page), Jackie Riley (Juliet), Holly Herbertson (Romeo), and Jeremy Naccarato (Friar Lawrence).
In the second photo, performing As You Like It, are, from left: Samantha Sundberg (Duke Frederick), Lora Davis (LeBeau), Heather Mahnke (Charles), and Paige Moody (Orlando).
English Department Student Projects
Creative Writing Projects
The Inkwell -- Cal U's Literary Magazine
Creative Writing Drama Class Reads Plays at Celebration of Student Writing, Spring 2012
At Left, Mark Budinsky and Alicia Bonus Read Their Work. At Right, Lindsey Hahne, Portia Garrow, and Holly Herbertson Pause During the Celebration of Student Writing. Below, Left, From Left, Sarah Schumaker, Brent Shultz, Garrick Lackey, and Heather Mahnke Celebrate a Successful Play Reading.
Creative Writing Poetry Class, Fall 2011, Students With Experimental Poems
From left, Alicia Bonus with "Bless the Dawn," Chuck Cribben with "What's Not to Love?" and Leann Rerko Orris with her sestina.
Below, From left, Theresa Bush with her guitar poem, and Joseph Smith with his poem written between the lines of a news story about a dead mayor.
Journalism Projects
Cal Corner
Other Class Projects
Individualized Instruction, Journalism 3, Spring 2012
Independent Studies, Journalism 3, Fall 2011
Independent Studies, Journalism 3, Spring 2011
Secondary Education English Student Teacher Showcase
Secondary Education English Students demonstrated what they've learned and been doing in their classrooms. From Left, Top Row: Lauren Caumo, Lora Davis, and Leann Rerko-Orris; From Left, Bottom Row: Theresa Bush, Tim Strother and Maghan Amodei.
Videos
Celebration of Student Writing Spring 2012
Thanks to:
Celebration of Student Writing Coordinator Dr. Krystia Nora
And to:
- Dr. Todd Carlisle
- Dr. Sarah Downey
- Dr. Christina Fisanick
- Dr. Lisa Schwerdt
- Professor Margo Wilson
And to the approximately 200 students who participated.
Student Choice Best in Show Award Winners
Clarissa Hollows, Mackenzie Gregor and Erin Donnely in Dr. Kurt Kearcher’s class
Student Choice Most Creative Award
Emily Lorence in Dr. Krystia Nora’s class
Faculty Choice Award Winner
Carol Mannix for projects in Dr. Lisa Schwerdt’s class and Dr. Sarah Downey’s class
And thank you to the College of Liberal Arts and to California University of Pennsylvania for supporting the Celebration of Student Writing 2012
Dr. Bill Hendricks' World Literature Class, Spring '12
Krystia's Class
Kristen Raps
Paige Williams Raps
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Contact Us
College of Liberal Arts
Department of English
Azorsky Hall
250 University Ave.
California, PA 15419
724-938-4070
FAX 724-938-1515
Department Chair: Margo Wilson
Department Secretary: Carrie DeFigio
National Poetry Month
View the National Poetry Month Photo Slideshow
