Pittsburg State University English

09/04/2026

🎉 Come celebrate with us in Grubbs Hall! 🎂

Join us in the Grubbs Hall first floor lobby at noon on Friday, September 25th for birthday cake and special guests as we celebrate the 150th birthday of Ora Grubbs. 🏛️

Then, stick around for the 1 p.m. ribbon cutting on the 4th floor as we celebrate another exciting milestone--the new Pitt State Press!! ❤️ 📰 💛

We hope to see you there!!

08/31/2026

⛱️ 🩴 The Writing Center participated in Axe Library's Beach Fair on August 27th. Their duck fishing game was very popular and allowed students to win prizes while learning about The Writing Center's services.

📍 Visit The Writing Center for all your writing needs this semester. They are located in 116 Axe Library.

08/26/2026

It's officially official! 👏
After a period as interim Chair, Dr Casie Hermansson was appointed to the permanent role of Chair of English and Modern Languages and the Intensive English Program in June.

Hermansson began in the then-English department in 1997 and has taught a wide range of courses. Her undergraduate degrees in English and French were earned at Massey University, New Zealand. After a year teaching English in France she undertook her MA and PhD in English Literature at the University of Toronto. She has participated in French classes periodically while at PSU, and taught French for a semester while Dr. Krepps was on sabbatical. She has a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language and taught briefly in the IEP. She is a Fulbright Scholar, and has published academic monographs, co-edited collections, and published over 20 children's readers with Heinemann. She is currently enrolled in LETRS (Lexia) and trained as an interventionist in the PSU center for READing.

"I'm really excited to bring my particular blend of qualifications in these three areas together to support the Department and its three programs: English, Modern Languages, and IEP," Hermansson says. "This is my 30th year at PSU and I'm still learning all the time. There is a lot going on in Grubbs Hall at the moment so watch this space!"

Congratulations, Dr. Hermansson!

08/22/2026

Our August alum / author feature is one of our own: Dr. Jamie L. McDaniel, former faculty member in English and Modern Languages, now Professor of English at Radford University, where he teaches disability studies, British Literature, film studies, professional writing, and game studies, and where he founded the English major concentration in Game Studies. 🎲 🕹️

Jamie's debut poetry collection, *Liner Notes*, is out from Finishing Line Press and in presale now through August 28th. The poems move through music, memory, grief, and the strange work of keeping people with you after they're gone. His poem "The Black Dog" won the 2025 Chautauqua Creative Writing Contest for Poetry.

If you took a class with Jamie, worked down the hall from him, or just remember him talking about horror films longer than anyone asked him to, the presale is the best way to support the book. Order at https://finishinglinepress.com/product/liner-notes-by-jamie-mcdaniel/ and find more of his work at jamiemcdaniel com. Link to presale provided in Insta bio. 📎

08/14/2026

Did you miss us? Our Instagram page may have taken a summer hiatus, but we're back in action and ready for the start of the Fall 2026 semester. Our faculty have had some fun adventures this summer. Here's a peek at some of what we've been up to.

Also - keep an eye out on information from Professor Laura Lee Washburn who is planning a student trip to London and Edinburgh for Spring Break 2027. More info on that to come as it develops. 👀

We're excited to see everyone on Monday morning! 💛 ❤️

08/12/2026

Theater/Theatre, anyone?

IT’S TIME!! Introducing our 2026-2027 Theatre Season! We’re ready to have our Gorillas back on campus!

07/29/2026

Two PSU English MA alumni nominees! Congrats to Melissa Fite Johnson & Allison Blevins!

07/29/2026

Movie on the BIG screen on campus!

🎥 Don’t forget to register for Pitt State Movie Night!

Join us at Carnie Smith Stadium on Thursday, July 30, for a showing of Superman (2025)! Enjoy food trucks, drinks, and superhero action under the stars. This event is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, and the community.

There is no registration fee (food is available for purchase), and the first 100 guests to register will receive a complimentary food voucher from the Alumni Association!

Registration isn’t required, but it’s recommended. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/pittstatemovienight

🕣 Gates open at 8:30 pm - movie begins at dark!
➡️ Please enter on the east side of the stadium.

Pitt State Movie Night is sponsored by the Alumni Association, Athletics, Campus Activities, and the Kudos & Recognition Committee.

05/07/2026

English and Modern Languages end-of-year awards ceremony. Congratulations on some wonderful achievements this semester.
We are so proud of all of our students! 👏