English Department

Union's creative writers – both students and faculty – are scorching a trail with their recent publications. Check out the English minor in Creative Writing if you dare to follow.

English-Creative Writing Students

Patrick Mulready '25 placed a story from his honors thesis collection, "The Work Capacity of Young Adults" in Short Vine Literary Journal (U Cincinnati), Spring 2025, pp. 27-33.

Naomi Nayor '28 has a poem entitled "-9" in Oakland Arts Review (Oakland U, MI), Spring 2025, p. 29. Her poem was drafted in the EGL 110: The Poetic Process workshop with Jordan Smith.

Benjamin Stern '26, OT major/creative writing minor, wrote an original one-act play, "The Trees Have Names Too," which won the Judith Barlow Prize: a $1000 award and a reading of their play either in New York City or virtually.

English Department Faculty

Professor Jordan Smith published a poem called "Parts of the Same Project" in Vox Populi (9/28/25) and an essay, "These Days" in Vox Populi 8/8/25. In the September 2025 issue of Live Encounters, Smith has two poems: "No Expectations" and "The Great Uncertainty." Earlier in 2025 see:"Jordan Smith: Two Poems" in Cultural Daily, "The Amateur of Consciousness" and "Trillium" (1/31/25).

Professor Bunkong Tuon published "What the War Has Taught Us," in Rattle.com (6/29/25). Earlier in 2025 Tuon published: "Praying While Driving Alone," Bending Genres (no. 43, 2/11/25); “Wanting Kids,” reprinted (online) in Verse Daily (3/2/25); "My Ancestors Didn't Scream" with audio) Shō Poetry Journal no. 6.

See you in a writing workshop soon!

The English Department is happy to announce that Bunkong Tuon and Jennifer Mitchell have been promoted to the rank of Full Professor. Please join us in congratulating our colleagues!

Moreover, at Convocation on Sept. 2, 2025, Professor Tuon was awarded 2025 Stillman Faculty Excellence in Research award. See the news item at this link.

On this year's Prize Day, Union recognized the hard work and talents of the best student essayists, poets, non-fiction and fiction writers. Here is a complete list of this year's English Department's Prize Day winners.

This year's Senior Thesis group celebrated their accomplishments with faculty members. Left to right: Prof. Claire Bracken, Kasey Walsh, Aja Schiller, Haydn Russell, Gabriella Baratier, Prof. Judith Lewin, Olivia Bruursema, Patrick Mulready, Prof. Jennifer Mitchell, and Prof. Bernhard Kuhn.