The Student has become The Master!

If  you are a writer and the phrase "in these tough economic times" makes you want to wretch a little bit because it hits a bit too close to home, take note of these two Roosevelt MFA alums.  Both are gainfully employed, sculpting young minds on topics as diverse as social justice and the function of the memoir in society.  What dynamic center of learning would scoop up such desirable candidates?  Why, Roosevelt University, of course!

Lauren Stacks and Alexander York, both recent graduates of the MFA program (Lauren graduated so recently that she'll be a part of our upcoming gradudate reading on October 27th.  More info on that soon!), are currently teaching undergraduate classes at Roosevelt.  

Lauren "oh, these? Given to me by adoring students" Stacks

Lauren is tackling two sections of English 102- The Function of the Memoir in Society.  Lauren guides her students through critical assessments of several memoirs in order to strengthen their argument, research and analysis skills.  She is also working as a writing tutor for graduate nursing students at North Park University.



Alexander "From Groupon to group work" York



Alexander York, meanwhile, is teaching LIBS 201- Writing Social Justice this semester.  In addition to teaching, he works full time at Groupon, so feel free to try to hit him up for 50 percent discounts to your favorite restaurants.  

Roosevelt's MFA program offers its students practical skills designed to lead to tangible, engaging careers.  The program's Teaching Certificate component allows students to get the necessary pedagogical skills, and then get into a classroom in a leadership role while pursuing their graduate degree.

Congrats to both Lauren and Alexander for keepin' it in the family!

Strumecki and York to read at ACM Salon

Current Roosevelt MFA student, Yvonne Strumecki, and recent alum, Alexander York, will be reading at Another Chicago Magazine's April Fool's Day Salon this Friday, April 1st!  Alexander has a poem published in ACM's Chicago issue, 50.1, along with a large variety of Chicago writers.  Yvonne's poem will be published in the second part of ACM's Chicago extravaganza, coming soon!

Joining them at the salon will be the likes of Patrick Culliton, Jen Moore, and Ryan Kenealy.  There will be free drinks and cookies and fun and a $10 suggested donation.  Doors open at 8:00 and the event starts at 9:00!

The crowd will be capped at 80 peeps, so RSVP now at: editors@anotherchicagomagazine.net

And check out the Facebook event page for more details!  Don't be a fool this April Fool's Day!  Instead, come to ACM's April Fool's Day Salon!

Alexander York's poem to appear in Bananafish

MFA poet Alexander York got his poem, "Fall Through The Earth Until You Reach Australia," published in Bananafish Magazine.

Bananafish is an online venue for exceptional, short-form literature with a focus on wit, originality, and innovation, that may or may not have taken its name from J.D. Salinger's short story, A Perfect Day for Bananafish.

Congrats, Alex!

image of eclipse as viewed from Australia by NASA

MFA student York publishes more poems

Alexander’s recent publication is with Another Chicago Magazine and his poem “Nothing is Living in the Lake” will appear in ACM #50. His sister poem “Everything is Living in the Lake,” is forthcoming in the 2010 May issue of Word Riot.

What are some of the influences of Alexander York?

"If I told you Chicago wasn’t an influence, I’d be lying," says York. "Since moving to the city, I have changed numerous aspects of my writing, but working my way through a two and a half year MFA program helps the development quite a bit too. I try my best to mix the experience of city life and my small town familiarity I have embedded from living mostly in Ohio."

Oyez Review Reading--Tonight!

Don't forget--tonight is the release party for Oyez Review's issue #37! This reading will feature poetry, fiction and nonfiction by John F. Buckley, Alexander York, Lydia Cesarz, Don Peteroy, Meghan Cadwallader, and many more.

The reading will take place at Roosevelt’s Gage Gallery, located at 18 S. Michigan Ave. and will begin at 5pm. Refreshments will be served.

Red Rock Review To Publish Alexander York

Not one...but two poems by our very own Alexander York will be featured in the Spring 2009 edition of Red Rock Review, a literary magazine published by the College of Southern Nevada and edited by Dr. Richard Logsdon.

Alexander was also recently published on Dogzplot, an online literary journal.

Congrats, Alex!