NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — 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. 

 

 

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.