State University of New York at Fredonia English Department

05/14/2026

Our ENGL 400 Senior Seminar students presented their research at the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference. Check out their podcast: Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45KvJHVLqNrkHJKNrh2Mk4?si=yBRB9dMRRemI1uaVstN0bA

04/28/2026

One of your last chances to hear these two amazing, thinkers, teachers, and activists talk about what matters most. Join us Friday from 12-1 in Fenton 127. If you're popping in from elsewhere, please leave your good wishes and greetings here. I'll pass them on. And share with your classmates and others who would like to know.

04/02/2026

Last call.Joy Harjo today at 5:00 pm. Don't have a ticket yet? Don't worry. There are still some available at the door. Don't miss this chance!

“But come here, fear I am alive and you are so afraid
of dying.” — Joy Harjo, Crazy Brave.

There is immense power in reclaiming our voices back. In its rawest form, Crazy Brave touches on ancestry, music, and poetry. Let Joy Harjo’s words of resilience echo within you on April 2nd, 5 p.m. at Rosch Recital Hall, followed by a reception in Marion Art Gallery.

04/01/2026

“When she broke on Earth, the light in her was not broken. We cannot break light, nor can we destroy it.” — Joy Harjo, Catching the Light.

Joy Harjo’s work is illuminating! ✨ Over 50 years as a poet, Joy Harjo shines light on her creative journey and personal experiences as a member of the Muscogee Nation in Catching the Light.

Join us on April 2nd, 5 p.m. at Rosch Recital Hall for a poetry reading, followed by a reception in Marion Art Gallery. There, her portrait and poem are included in B.A. Van Sise’s exhibit, “Children of Grass: A Portrait of American Poetry.” Be sure to catch this radiant event!

This Bicentennial event is made possible by The Williams Distinguished Visiting Professorship and the Mary Louise White Visiting Writers Series.

For more information on where to get your FREE tickets, visit this link here: https://events.fredonia.edu/event/williams-distinguished-visiting-writer-us-poet-laureate-joy-harjo

03/31/2026

Tomorrow is the April Fools Day. But no kidding, it's also the Annual Day of Giving. Can you help us, either by giving yourself or spreading the word within your networks?

Join me and empower future Fredonians by making a gift on Fredonia's Day of Giving!

03/26/2026

“History will always find you, and wrap you in its thousand arms.” — Joy Harjo, An American Sunrise. Joy Harjo reminds us that our past carries the stories of those before us and that memory is power.

Come and listen to the beautiful message behind her poem, “Break My Heart,” along with her other remarkable works on April 2nd, 5 p.m. at Rosch Recital Hall, followed by a reception in Marion Art Gallery. There, her portrait and poem are included in B.A. Van Sise’s exhibit, “Children of Grass: A Portrait of American Poetry.”

This Bicentennial event is sponsored by The Williams Distinguished Visiting Professorship and the Mary Louise White Visiting Writers Series.

For more information on where to get your FREE tickets, visit this link here: https://events.fredonia.edu/event/williams-distinguished-visiting-writer-us-poet-laureate-joy-harjo

03/24/2026

A literary legend is coming to campus — and you won’t want to miss this rare opportunity! Mark your calendar for April 2nd! 📅

23rd U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo will be joining us on the SUNY Fredonia campus for a poetry reading on April 2nd, 5 p.m. at Rosch Recital Hall. This exciting event is made possible by The Williams Distinguished Visiting Professorship and the Mary Louise White Visiting Writers Series.

Reserve your FREE tickets by stopping at SUNY Fredonia Box Office M, W, F from 9:00 am-3:00 pm, calling the box office at 716 673-3501, or using online ticketing at fredonia.edu/tickets. You don't want to miss this amazing Bicentennial event!

03/20/2026

Last weekend, Dr. Kaplin was the head judge in the regional spelling bee held on campus. His co-judge Dr. Horowitz looks on with a smile for this "staged" photo while they were waiting for the fun to begin. .

03/03/2026

The CLAS Brown Bag series tomorrow will feature our own Dr. Emily VanDette.

We are excited to hear from our own Dr. Emily VanDette, Professor of English, with her talk entitled: "The Clemens & Moffett Women in 19th-Century Fredonia: The Local Impact of Mark Twain’s Family."

Dr. VanDette’s talk will share the local connections between Fredonia and one of America's most famous authors, and will highlight the connections between the activism of the Clemens and Moffett women and Twain’s philosophical views and writing.

The talk will take place in Williams Center 204 ABC from 12-1 pm on Wed, 3/4. A light lunch will be provided, courtesy of our funders: FSA, Carnahan Jackson Fund, and CLAS Dean's Office. We hope to see you all there!

02/16/2026

Thanks to Cake Crazy Bakery for creating this masterpiece! It earned Honorable Mention for the bake off!

We were honored to create the Birthday Cake and Cupcakes for Douglass Day in Fredonia, celebrating the life, words, and legacy of Frederick Douglass 📖🌹
All rights for all is a message that still matters today ✊🏾
Grateful to be part of an event that uplifts history, education, and community ❤️