Ferguson's Book Debut

Susan Ferguson (BA English/Writing emphasis, 1985) has written and published Pass English Comp: The Study Guide for Critical Thinking, Rhetoric, and College Writing.

The release date of the book, published by Susan's company, Ninth Month Publishing Co., is Jan. 16, 2009. The book has potential in the college textbook marketplace as a resource for students in English composition and college writing classes who need to have the concepts of critical thinking, rhetoric, and college writing broken down into easy-to-read language with diagrams and examples. The book is the result of Susan's two-year stint as a graduate teaching assistant at Northern Arizona University (M.A. English-Creative Writing, 2008). The book is available for sale online at www.passenglishcomp.com.

Another successful writer brought to you by your friendly, neighborhood EFLJ. Congratulations, Susan!

Ann Thorne's Genes to Live On

Ann Thorne is now a grandmother, making only the second grandparent in EFLJ (Grandma Jane Frick--just ask to see pictures). This means either that we are a young department or that our children are lazy.

Annabelle Marie Thorne, daughter to Ann's son Jacob, was born on January 10 (8 pounds, 2 ounces, and measuring 22 inches). Mother Paulette and Little Thornelette are doing well, though it's just now dawning on Jacob that things will be different.

Congratulations, Gramma Ann!

New Lit. Out Loud

EFLJ's literary magazine, The Mochilla Review, is holding an open mic reading as part of what the editorial staff hopes will be a series of readings called "New Lit Out Loud." The first reading will be held Wednesday, January 21st, 7:00 pm at Fosters Martini Bar (726 Felix Street; 364-4400).

Come one and all to read, listen, and enjoy the Fellowship of Words.

Distinguished Alumni Award to Cheri Kempf

Cheri earned an English degree with a public relations emphasis in 1985 and is the owner and pitching instructor at Worth Club K, a national training facility for softball players. Since she opened Club K in 1991, she has taught and trained thousands of athletes at her main facility near Nashville, Tenn., and at several satellite locations.

Cheri, a member of Western Athletics Hall of Fame, has consulted with the Amateur Softball Association and the United States Olympic Committee to develop universal standards by which to teach fastpitch pitching, and she is a popular television analyst for college and professional softball. She has been seen and heard on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox Sports, the YES Network, Cox Sports Television and Comcast Cable Network.

Cheri is the author of "Softball Pitching Edge," and the inventor of two softball training devices - the Spin Right Spinner and the Powerline Mat.

"As a student-athlete, I was in the right place, size-wise, and I liked being in my hometown so my family could see me play," said Cheri, who played softball, tennis and basketball as a Western student. "I’m very happy to get the award."

*The above comes from page 23 of the Winter 2009 issue of Western (The Magazine of MWSU)

ENG 100 Class Adopts a Family

Dawn Terrick's ENG 100 class adopted a family for Christmas 2008. Read an account of their shopping adventures, the lead story in "Tower Topics" Week of Dec. 8-14, 2008: http://www.missouriwestern.edu/towertopics/

The Start of "New Lit Out Loud"

On Friday, November 21 Western students, staff, and faculty gathered with community members at Cafe Acoustic for the first "New Lit Out Loud." This new open mic night was the first of many to come. Canvas staff members are planning for this event to take place once a week beginning next semester, Spring 2009. Check back for more details on "New Lit Out Loud" and other similar events.

Dana Andrews read an excerpt from his short story about a man who is forced to go through the porn possessions of his dead brother-in-law in order to spare his wife, the dead man's sister, from the truth.

Dawn Terrick read a creative nonfiction piece about sorority life from a not-so-enthusiastic sorority sister.

Meg Thompson read pieces from her hilarious series that considers life from a terrorist's point of view. After all, how might a terrorist feel on a first date?

Mary Stone read poetry and excerpts with topics ranging from relationships and love to working in an adult goodies store.

More on "New Lit Out Loud" later!

Alumna Opens Photography Studio

Melissa (Bitterman) Cox, who received her B.A. in English/Technical Communication from Missouri Western in 2007, is the proud owner and proprietor of a new photography studio in St. Joseph. See her work and contact her here: http://www.lifeshots.co.cc/

Congratulations and Good Luck, Melissa!