Union University English Department

05/29/2026

A packed house in Memphis came out tonight to hear Jason Crawford talk about his new book, GOD’S FOOLS. Helping moderate the discussion were UU English‘s own Joy Moore and Fr. Wes Gristy.

05/20/2026

English professor Janna Smartt Chance and English alum Lydia Ezell Cooper recently presented papers at the 2026 British Women Writers conference in Auburn, Alabama. Dr. Chance had the privilege of moderating her former student and thesis advisee, Ezell Cooper's, panel. After graduating from Union in 2022, Ezell Cooper earned her M.A. in English at Georgia State University and spent two years as Visiting Instructor of English at Georgia Southern. She is about to start a new position as Instructor of English at Georgia Gwinnett College and plans to pursue her Ph.D. in the next few years.

05/17/2026

UU English profs in Memphis!!! To celebrate the release of Prof. Crawford's new book

JASON CRAWFORD W/ JOY MOORE & FR. WES GRISTY: GOD'S FOOLS

Thu, 5/28/2026 - 6:00pm
Place:
Novel
387 Perkins Ext.
Memphis, TN 38117

04/22/2026

Scenes from a graduation reception. Sorry I missed a few folks. A good time was had by all!

04/17/2026

Today, we presented more than 80 awards to students, faculty and staff at the annual Awards Day chapel service.

The Carla D. Sanderson Faculty of the Year Award went to Jay Beavers, associate professor of English.

Katie Yeaglin, administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, received the Gary L. Carter Staff of the Year Award.

John Foubert, professor of education, received the R. Keith Absher Faculty Researcher of the Year Award, which recognizes a full-time faculty member who has made significant and sustained scholarly contributions to his or her discipline and the academy.

To see the full list of award recipients, please visit: https://f.mtr.cool/cmbeidvahl

Watch the Awards Day service: https://f.mtr.cool/gnfmgqbqmz

04/17/2026

UU English alumna making things. https://bellepointpress.com/products/thunder-makes-us?fbclid=IwY2xjawRPXo5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFZQTVLYnpwRk1CcXNpOVZQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt7IbUYKEQJVDPocVF3n3CH7YGe_2NGiu_RXjymJ3aqqUP2TYJx9GMPcAS1k_aem_RWzgBvz7CQ5QOYz4QCOIZw

thunder makes us, by Whitney Rio-Ross **This is currently a PRE-ORDER title. Forthcoming Publication Date: May 26, 2026** The poems in thunder makes us explore heritage, faith, and womanhood in the American South. They navigate the tension of cherishing the world we’re raised in while also wrestli...

04/17/2026

04/14/2026

Translator John Mark Maust speaks to UU Applied Linguistics students about careers in languages.

12/15/2025

I am so excited to announce Velvet Volumes’ 1st Book Signing Event!!

Please welcome these three amazingly talented authors on December 20th from 11 am to 1 pm at Velvet Volumes, located inside of Turntable Coffee Counter.

Eddie D. Moore - Sci-Fi/Horror
Abby Wright - Young Adult
Patricia L. Hamilton - Poetry

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