news
Poem by Tiana Clark Published in The Atlantic
Sep. 23, 2021—Congratulations to Tiana Clark, who received her MFA in Creative Writing at Vanderbilt University, on the publication of her poem “Broken Sestina Reaching for Black Joy” in The Atlantic! Click here to read the poem.
VU Graduate Bryan Byrdlong Receives Prestigious Poetry Fellowship
Sep. 14, 2021—Bryan Byrdlong (he/him) was recently announced as a 2021 recipient of the Ruth Lilly & Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship. Byrdlong majored in English/Creative Writing at Vanderbilt University, is a Black writer from Chicago, Illinois. He is a graduate of the Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan, and a PhD candidate in Creative...
Pallavi Wakharkar Wins 2021 Iowa Review Award for Fiction
Jun. 10, 2021—Congratulations to Pallavi Wakharkar on her reception of the 2021 Iowa Review Award for Fiction! Click here to see the announcement.
See Sandy Solomon’s New Poem in The New Yorker
Jun. 1, 2021—Congratulations to Sandy Solomon, whose poem, “The Great Confinement,” is featured in the June 7, 2021 issue of The New Yorker ! To read the poem and to enjoy the “Audio: Read by the author” feature on The New Yorker ‘s website, click here.
Congratulations Class of 2021!
May. 7, 2021—The Department of English is proudly graduating 50 majors this spring. In honor or their accomplishments over the past four years, we asked them to share their favorite author, literary work, or paper they wrote. Jade Ayers My favorite paper I wrote for an English class is “A Bin for Loonies: The Loony Bin...
Hortense Spillers elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Apr. 23, 2021—Congratulations to Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor Hortense Spillers for her election tot he American Academy of Arts and Sciences. To see all newly elected members, click here. Hortense J. Spillers Biography: Having taught in the U.S. academy for three decades now (and counting), I am reluctant to look back for all those mythical reasons that...
Commencement – Class of 2021
Apr. 19, 2021—
Outstanding English Major Award
Apr. 16, 2021—Congratulations, GRace! Grace LaFrentz is the 2020-2021 recipient of the Outstanding English Major award. The prize is awarded each spring to a graduating senior who excels in study, research, and writing. Students are recommended and nominated by faculty of the Department of English. Grace LaFrentz will graduate this spring with a major in Literary Studies....
Maria Carlos wins 2021 Academy of American Poets Prize
Apr. 13, 2021—2021 Academy of American Poets Prize Contest: Winner and Honorable Mention Winner Maria Carlos GS, MFA, for “Elegizing” Honorable Mention John Mulcare GS, MFA for “Boats” Judge Tiana Clark MFA ’17 (Poetry)
Joshua Moore honored by Poetry Foundation for work on ‘Versify’ podcast
Apr. 1, 2021—Joshua Moore (MFA ’20) has been honored by the Poetry Foundation for his production on the Fisk Jubilee Singers, broadcasted on WPLN’s podcast Versify. This work, written and produced by Joshua, has been selected as one of six episodes to air on Roll Call: A Black Poetry Radio Hour, a VS podcast miniseries to spotlight urgent...