Ashley Dempsky with AmeriCorps

Here is recent news from Ashley Dempsky (class of '08):

"Americorps, which is often called the 'domestic Peace Corps,' is a multi-faceted government volunteer program wherein members can serve in different ways. I work in the education area of AmeriCorps for a program called KernCorps AmeriCorps, named after Kern County in California. Due to the socio-economic challenges many people in the poorer areas of Kern County face (gang activity, poverty, unstable family life, etc) their education often suffers. I work at what is called a 'community high school' where students who have been expelled from the public school system attend until their expulsion period is over. The two areas in which these students struggle the most with are Reading and Math; many of them are below fourth-grade standards. I work with about 20 students a week, tutoring them and helping them prepare for their high school exit exams which they need to pass in order to receive a diploma. AmeriCorps state and local programs require a one year commitment, so I will be busy with this until next summer! It's challenging but rewarding at the same time."

Robert Bradley 2008/2009 Distinguished Alumnus

Robert Bradley was recently honored with the Department's Distinguished Scholar Award at the College of Arts and Sciences Reception. On Friday morning, he had an opportunity to visit Beth Bradburn's British Literature I class and witnessed a discussion of Chaucer's "Miller's Tale." In the picture, he is standing in front of Sprau Tower, an appropriate location considering that he was the Department's second recipient, in 1951 (!), of the prestigious George Sprau Student Award.

Elizabeth Kerlikowske

Elizabeth Kerlikowske, who completed her PhD here in lit/Creative Writing a year or two back, has had her dissertation The Laying on of Maples (a collection of poetry) accepted for publication by Wayne State University for its Made in Michigan Series. Elizabeth teaches full-time at Kellogg Community College.

Bill Bradley at VanityFair.com

Bill Bradley, '07--creative writing, moved to Harlem this January after completing an internship at Esquire. He now writes about music (mostly) for VanityFair.com. He just recently took part in creating a video about an Obama4Harlem debate party which you will soon be able to find at: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/10/harlem- awaits-the-second-black-president.html