Retiring Professors: Dr. Paul Christensen

By -
Dr. Paul Christensen is a renowned poet, essayist, literature critic, and for a while, was the coordinator of creative writing at Texas A&M. According to Dr. Janet McCann, “[Christensen’s] projects, such as the radio program Poetry Southwest...brought creative energy to the department. His reading series, festivals, and creative teaching techniques gained us recognition and attracted many fine students.” Christensen currently lives in central Vermont, and plans to keep writing.

Dr. Janet McCann writes:
Creative Writing when Paul headed it was an active university/community center of activity. We used to have visiting readers at his home in downtown Bryan—the speakers would have to pause now and then while the train came through his back yard. His projects, such as the radio program Poetry Southwest, which featured everyone from Creeley and Ginsberg down to local poets, brought creative energy to the department. His reading series, festivals, and creative teaching techniques gained us recognition and attracted many fine students.

"At the end of science and technology lies a body of myths and ancient truths 
waiting to be rediscovered." 

Please comment below with your own memories of Dr. Christensen!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Open Educational Resources: The Changing Face of Textbooks

By -
Image
Reducing the cost of textbooks is a noble goal, even though it may seem impossible. Within the Department of English and Texas A&M University Libraries, there were a few faculty, graduate students, and librarians who refused to see it that way. They rallied together to accomplish a task: reduce the cost of textbooks for students. With their help, the days of heavy and expensive books dragging students down by their backpacks and by their bank accounts are headed towards a bitter end. The solution is known as an OER, or Open Educational Resource, and it’s changing how students will buy and use textbooks for the foreseeable future.  The Texas A&M University Libraries defines an OER as a “teaching, learning, or research resource that is in the public domain.” Free of charge and easily accessible, an OER can include open access textbooks, but also case studies, teaching materials, media, assessments, and software. In other words, it’s more than just a textbook. An OER can take ...
Read more

A Q&A with Author, J.C. Murphey

By -
Image
  A Q&A with Author, J.C. Murphey Please Introduce yourself to the English students and faculty. Howdy! My name is Jaycee Arai, or as my pen name J.C. Murphey, and I am an alumni from the Fightin’ Texas Aggies Class of 2013. I am a born and raised Texan who found my way back to Aggieland with my husband and daughter from South Texas. Can you tell us a bit about your book?  My debut dark fantasy is called “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” and it follows a college student named Victor Rexford who, through the deaths of his twin brother and best friend, develops a sensitivity to supernatural beings that serve as grim reapers. After a series of bad life choices he gets involved with a cult who botches a summoning and essentially starts a centuries-long apocalypse that puts him in the middle of a never-ending battle between good and evil. It actually launched today (12/11/23) which is also my birthday! It’s yet to be determined if that was a good idea or not. It can be found on most maj...
Read more

The Best Study Spots of College Station

By -
Image
As college students, we are always searching for a new place to study or get some work done. Texas A&M’s campus is great, but the libraries can get pretty monotonous. With finals around the corner, it seemed that an updated list of the best study spots was necessary! Sweet Eugene's House Of Java A personal favorite for most of the College Station area, Sweet Euguene’s provides a great cup of coffee and an eclectic atmosphere. Get here early! The tables and couches fill up fast. P.S. try the blueberry donuts!    Lupa's Coffee Another popular coffee spot, Lupa’s is a great study space! From small to large tables and a few cozy couches, you’re bound to find a seat here. They also have tables outside if everything else has filled up!  Minuti If you're a fan of Italian coffee, this is the place for you! Minuti has a large amount of small tables for studying. If you're interested in a study break, try the gelato!...
Read more