English and Modern Languages
Here’s how students get to know us and we get to know them:
Here’s how students get to know us and we get to know them:- First-Year Composition Classes
- Foreign Language Classes and Activities
- Creative Writing, Literature, and Other Upper-Division Classes
- Affiliated Programs (Appalachian Studies, Journalism, Gender and Women’s Studies)
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Alumni Spotlight: Miranda Beahm (2014)
Department News
On Friday, May 31st, 2019, the Department celebrated the 200th anniversary of Walt Whitman’s birth. Dr. Hanrahan pulled together a wandering event that began at the Rumsey Monument, stopped at McMurran Hall, and ended at Four Seasons Bookstore. At each stop individuals read excerpts of Whitman’s poetry or pieces inspired by Whitman. Shepherd University faculty, staff, alumnae, and community members participated. Featured readers included Dr. James Pate, assistant professor of English; Ms. Sadie Shorr-Parks, adjunct instructor of English; Mr. Ed Zahniser, Shepherdstown poet; and Ms. Katie Quinnelly, Shepherd alumna. Birthday cake and wine were enjoyed after the reading at the bookstore. Happy Birthday, Walt!
Congratulations to our own Jessica Perez, a 2019 graduate! Jessica was awarded an Honorable Mention in the David M. Prior Award essay contest. You can read Jessica’s essay about the value of a liberal arts education on the web site of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC).
On Monday, April 29th, four students were inducted into Shepherd University’s chapter of Sigma Delta Pi (ΣΔΠ), the national collegiate Hispanic honor society. The spring 2019 inductees include Henry Navarrete Méndez, Nicole Merkel, Devin Spinks, and Rosa Raez-García. (Rosa was not available to be in the picture.) The ceremony is held annually, and eligible students are selected for membership by the faculty.
On Wednesday, April 24th, Shepherd University’s College of Arts and Humanities held a Student Recognition Day. Students from all departments in the college were celebrated for their accomplishments. The following students received awards from the Department of English and Modern Languages:
- Claudia McCarron—Outstanding English Major
- Gabrielle Hersey—Outstanding English Major (Creative Writing)
- Paige Conrad—Outstanding English Major (Literature)
- Jessica Friend—Outstanding English Major (English Education)
- Gabrielle Kijewski—Outstanding English Minor
- Rosa Raez-Garcia—Outstanding Spanish Major
- Olivia Barrett—Outstanding Spanish Minor
- Rebecca Kamp—Outstanding Modern Language Minor
- Justin Cole—Outstanding Journalism Minor
- Alexandra McCarron and Linnea Meyer—Nellie Gant Owens Scholarship
- Bethany Kaetzel—Elizabeth T. Brown Scholarship
- Alexandra Rowe—Josephine E. McMurran Kellogg Scholarship
- Marilyn Creager—Vera Malton Scholarship
- John-Paul Bronzi—Catherine Fix Essay Award
We could not be happier to announce that our very own Dr. Heidi Hanrahan, Professor of English, was named the 2018 West Virginia Professor of the Year at an awards ceremony and dinner at the Culture Center in Charleston on Tuesday, April 9th! Dr. Hanrahan’s teaching, as well as her service to the campus and the community, were emphasized in her nomination. The award is bestowed on a selected professor every year by the state’s Faculty Merit Foundation. We are so proud of you, Heidi!