Community and Creativity

Stevenson University's English majors constitute an exciting, dynamic community of students and scholars eager to share their talents, thoughts, and laughter. At the center of this community is our English Club, a student-led group that organizes parties, film showings, readings, and regular gatherings.

Additionally, the English department sponsors two of the campus's best publications: Spectrum and Proseworks Magazines. Produced in partnership with Stevenson's art department, Spectrum is an annual, full-color magazine focusing on poetry, short prose, and artwork. It is fueled entirely by student energy and student decisions. Proseworks specializes in longer prose—stories, creative non-fiction, and experimental prose—selecting, editing, and presenting these works on its innovative website. Both magazines sponsor regular Open Mic events that draw talent from across the University onto one stage.

Jo-Ellen Turner Endowed Scholarship in English

This scholarship, reserved for English majors, was endowed in 2006 by the family of Dr. Jo-Ellen Turner and supported by the friends of Dr. Turner and her beloved husband, Dr. Leo Young. It is a two-year award made each year to a Junior English major who has demonstrated "interest in literature and writing through achievement in course work and participation in extra curricular activities." The award does not affect a student's other financial aid.

Only English majors are eligible for this award. Sophomore majors are nominated by a committee of English faculty and invited to submit applications. The winner is chosen from the nominees by a vote of the full-time English faculty. We consider involvement in extra-curricular activities as well as superior academic performance in making this award.

The Brooke Peirce Visiting Scholar Lecture Series

Brooke Peirce

This annual series honors Brooke Peirce, a former English professor, who taught at Stevenson for 10 years after a long career at Goucher College. Peirce died in April 2003 and left a gift to Stevenson's English department. His bequest, combined with gifts from his wife, Dr. Carol Peirce, and Stevenson colleagues, has made this series possible. Each year, scholars, writers and poets are invited to speak on campus and conduct workshops with Stevenson students.

With each of his students, Brooke Peirce shared his love for literature, his respect for language, and the discipline that was his life. Stevenson is proud to remember Peirce's spirit, kindness, fairness, and dedication to teaching through this series.

For information regarding scholarships, please contact the English department.