{"id":12477,"date":"2026-09-28T20:34:04","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T20:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/the-words\/?page_id=12477"},"modified":"2026-09-30T22:37:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T22:37:25","slug":"the-words-september-26","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/the-words\/home-2\/the-words-september-26\/","title":{"rendered":"The Words: September 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t \t\t\t by Peyton Williamson ’27 and Paul Wallace ’27<\/span>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Letter from the Senior Editors<\/h2>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Hello wonderful Macalester English and Creative Writing (ENCW) community, and welcome to a new and exciting year of The Words!<\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t \t\t\t By Sarah Tachau ’27<\/span>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Introducing the student workers!<\/h2>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

There is no better way to get to know someone than by ridiculing or relating to their literary opinions. To introduce this fall\u2019s group of English department student workers, we asked them to share what novel universe they\u2019d live in if they could, and why. Take a gander through Old Main 2\u2019s familiar faces.\r\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t \t\t\t by Paul Wallace ’27<\/span>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Professor Emeritus Marlon James returns to Macalester to discuss new novel<\/h2>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Macalester students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered on a recent Saturday afternoon in the J-Wall lobby to hear Booker-Award-winning author and Professor Emeritus Marlon James in conversation with English and Creative Writing Professor James Dawes. The two discussed James\u2019 new novel The Disappearers,which follows a group of gay men in 1980s Jamaica who survive a horrific gay-bashing incident. Despite this trauma, the book abounds with pleasure. James admitted that The Disappearers was his first book that made his editor blush while reading it.\r\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t \t\t\t by Laurence Jacobian ’28<\/span>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

What\u2019s New With Professor Geng?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

After taking a year-long leave of absence, Professor Geng has returned to Macalester College bristling with talk experiences, a new family member, and recent theatrical research under her sleeve. In her interview, The Words inquired about what she has in store for the rest of the semester and what she accomplished while on her leave.<\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t \t\t\t By Sarah Tachau ’27<\/span>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

English Department Welcomes Back Students and Faculty at Fall Luncheon<\/h2>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Few English department traditions can top the annual Fall Luncheon. Free food, mingling, and the first taste of existential crisis-inducing conversation for seniors. On Thursday, September 17th, students and faculty joined together to ring in the new year with pho sandwiches from Russell\u2019s Traveling Kitchen.<\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t \t\t\t By Peyton Williamson ’27<\/span>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Catching up with Professor Kaston Tange<\/h2>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

After a productive sabbatical, Professor Andrea Kaston Tange is back in the English department with a new novel underway, some revamped and exciting courses, a new puppy, and a garden that continues to bring plenty of joy to all involved. The Words sat down with her to talk about her sabbatical achievements and goals for the upcoming semester.\r\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t \t\t\t By Paul Wallace ’27<\/span>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Alum Spotlight: M.L. Kenney \u201918 on Graduate School, Teaching, and Risk-Taking<\/h2>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

This month, The Words caught up with Macalester graduate M.L. Kenney \u201918 to talk about life after graduation. While at Macalester, M.L. studied English Literature and Critical Theory. Outside of her studies, she pursued several internships in public humanities and English teaching. After graduation, M.L. continued in public service and teaching English while earning an M.S. in Secondary Literacy and Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. M.L. currently divides her time between pursuing a Masters degree in English from Middlebury College\u2019s prestigious Bread Loaf School of English and teaching English to students with learning disabilities. <\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t \t\t\t By Laurence Jacobian ’28<\/span>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Senior Book Recommendations!<\/h2>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Recently, four seniors were invited by Next Chapter Books to write summary blurbs to be displayed next to a copy of their chosen novel! Additionally, starting this academic year, some ENCW senior majors will be asked for book recommendations. Each of the recommended titles were available as prizes during the \u201cBingo for Books\u201d Coffee House.<\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t \t\t\t By Paul Wallace ’28<\/span>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Little Free Library Receives a Revamp<\/h2>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

Denizens of Old Main 2 may notice an upgrade of a department staple\u2014the Little Free Library. Gone are the brick-print shelves buckling under the weight of well-loved books, and here to stay is a sturdy wooden bookshelf with its own 24\/7 on-site Little Librarian in the form of a Highland Coo plushie.<\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t

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