November 7, 2022
The MCLA English & Communications Department will host 15 alumni for a creative writing reading and showcase event to learn more about their post-graduate paths on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. in Murdock Hall 218.
Alumni will read poetry and prose, and present visual art and graphic design projects. The event will also showcase possible career paths after graduating with a liberal arts degree. For participating alumni, their work ranges from small business operations to social justice work, from the publishing industry to graduate work at various universities. Some still reside in Berkshire County, but others will travel from the Pioneer Valley and New York City.
Dr. Zachary Finch, Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing organized the event after a discussion with a former student, Jon Hoel ‘17, about a book he published. He realized a lot of his former creative writing students had various projects they could return to talk about.
“It’s partly a reunion for the alumni, but it’s also for the current students,” Finch said. “The discussion started with Jon who is friends with other alumni, and it snowballed from there.”
A few of the alums are former editors of MCLA’s Spires Literary Journal and took classes together.
“For prospective students, I often hear “What can I do with a liberal arts degree? Where does it lead to?” and now we’ll have 15 answers for that,” he said. “I think it’s awesome for students to get a sense of what happens after they graduate.”
Finch said he hopes this event can occur periodically either in a small group setting or where individuals can come back to campus.
The event is free and open to the public and will include a question-and-answer session. Refreshments provided.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA
is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully
empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 128-year commitment
to public education, we have fortified our commitment to equitable academic excellence.
For 10 of the last 12 years, MCLA has been named a Top Ten College by U.S. News and
World Report. MCLA also appears on the organization’s list of top National Public
Liberal Arts Colleges. Since the list was created, MCLA has risen to #33 as a Top
Performer on Social Mobility and ranks first among all Massachusetts liberal arts
schools, which measures how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell
Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu.
