04/24/2026
Senior Spotlight!
Over the next few weeks we will be individually celebrating our graduating Senior English, English Ed., and Writing students. Feel free to add some celebratory advice & well wishes in the comments.
Anna Ryan - English Education Major
1. What is your favorite English department memory?
"I absolutely loved the little English department events! Especially the pancake breakfasts with Dr. Johnson! Being able to connect with everyone in a meaningful and positive way was so uplifting. Also, as a side note, I always laugh at that time water was collecting under the paint in a class with Dr. Johnson. I think we spent 10 minutes of class time just watching him poke the water bubble and worry if it will burst while he’s teaching. The water eventually went away, but the shift in paint is still there. I laugh every time I see it."
2. What story or novel sticks out to you as the most impactful?
"The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams. I know this may be an odd choice as it’s so short and simple. However, my time with Dr. Hoag in Intro to Poetry taught me to appreciate the smaller works and look deeper into its meaning. At first, I looked at this poem as ridiculous! It’s comically short and seemed to have no real meaning. A red wheelbarrow is just simply that! It wasn’t until we looked into this poem further that I understood its significance and how deep the short poem goes. After this, I looked at poetry differently. I learned to truly dive into the words and pick apart its meaning. I also learned to accept that some poems truly are just silly and short! This poem impacted the way I looked at poetry, works of literature, and just life in general. I learned that, with just an ounce of extra attention, a simple moment of extra time, a silly and trifling thing can totally shift a meaning, a moment, a life."
3. What class did you enjoy the most or find the most challenging?
"I think the classes I enjoyed most were LIT-244: The Novel with Dr. Johnson and BLIT-210 with Dr. Lovett. The Novel helped give me a whole new appreciation for literature. I was challenged to look at literature from a different perspective and appreciate literature on a different level. The class discussions helped me to better grasp texts and connect better with my peers. The atmosphere of that class was so inviting, supportive, and engaging. If I could take one class again, it would be this one! As for BLIT-210, I know this isn’t an English Department class, but I still valued it enough to mention it! I learned so much in this class and truly valued the way in which Dr. Lovett taught. I felt truly challenged to think outside of my own preconceived ideas and taught behaviors to better understand and accept scripture. I learned to research scripture in a way that respects God’s word and honors truth over comfort. I’ll take all I learned from this class with me for the rest of my life."
4. What advice would you give to next year’s graduating English majors?
"Honestly, my advice to next year’s graduating English majors is to rely on your department. Seek your professors for guidance. When you’re stuck or feeling overwhelmed, reach out! Over my time with the English Department, I learned that the whole department truly cares. From professors you only took one class with to professors you seem to get in every class, they truly want you to succeed! Resting in my department and seeing my professors as support truly helped give me the courage to push forward. The English Department is truly a place of strength, encouragement, and inspiration."
