SHERMAN, TEXAS—Austin College will host a ’Roos Who Write Conference on campus Wednesday, October 29 through Saturday, November 1. Alumni who work in the world of words and composition—producing news programs to novels, music to blogs to grants—will share their thoughts and experiences in several sessions. (Austin College’s mascot is the Kangaroo, thus the title).Held in conjunction with Homecoming activities at Austin College, listed programs are free and open to the public.
Wednesday, October 29
Robert Lewis ’78, as Stikmanz, has written a cycle of fantasy novels, The Hidden Lands of Nod will speak on “Inventing a Language: The Basics” Wednesday, October 29, at 4:30 p.m. in Wright Campus Center, Room 231.
Thursday, October 30
On Thursday, October 30, Jennifer Wenzel ’90, author and member of the English faculty at Columbia University, will offer the Environmental Studies Lunch Talk, “What Can the Humanities Tell Us About the Environmental Crisis?” in Wright Campus Center, Room 231, at noon.
That afternoon, a songwriters panel features the Tone Deaf Cowboys convenes at 4:30 p.m. in Wright Campus Center, Room 231, with the presentation “’Roos Who cROOn Their Own Tunes.” The panel will include musicians John Williams ’84 of Sherman; Amy Coffman ’85 of Dallas; Larry Martin ’85 of Amarillo, Texas; Bain Ennis ’85 of Washington, D.C; and Andy Blair ’85 of Canyon, Texas. As The Tone Deaf Cowboys, Coffman, Ennis, Martin, and Williams (along with vocalist Andy Blair, ‘85) have been playing, singing, and writing songs together since they were Austin College students. Although they don’t all live near each other anymore, they have continued to write and play together—in various configurations and various locations—for more than 30 years.
The songwriter panelists will display their work in a 9 p.m. Tone Deaf Cowboys performance in the Pouch Club of Wright Campus Center.
Friday, October 31
Kim Powers ’79, novelist and the senior writer for ABC’s prestigious news magazine 20/20, will present “Blood on the Page—and on the Newscast: From Truman Capote to Diane Sawyer” at 1:30 p.m. Friday, October 31, in Wright Campus Center, Room 231.
Alumni Kirsten Brandt James ’85, nonprofit executive director, and Luan Beaty Mendel ’75, freelance writer and novelist, join forces to share their experiences and expertise in “Writing as Philanthropy,” which includes grant writing, at 1:30 p.m. in Wright Campus Center, Room 254.
Mystery novelist Deborah Crombie ’76 will join Powers and Robert Lewis ’78/Stickmanz, and will present “Writers on Writing” at 4:30 p.m.in Wright Campus Center, Room 231. Student winners of the Short Fiction Award also will be announced.
At 8:30 p.m., Carl Antonowicz ’08, artist; Amanda Coleman ’07 technical writer; Jesse Hausler ’08, creative writer; and writer and director Andrew Yorke (Stephen Hayes ’08), will present “Word Work” in Wright Campus Center, Room 255.
The Tone Deaf Cowboys and Bad Hat Band will offer a 9:30 p.m. performance in the Pouch Club of Wright Campus Center.
Saturday, November 1
Jennifer Wenzel ’90 of the Columbia University faculty will join Peter Anderson, Austin College associate professor of English, for the presentation “What Can Be Spoken?: Perspectives on South Africa” at 2 p.m. in Wright Campus Center, Room 231.
Also at 2 p.m., Robert Lewis/Stickmanz will repeat “Inventing a Language: The Basics” in Wright Campus Center, Room 254.
The ’Roos Who Write event had one event a week earlier with William Kerrigan ’85, associate professor of history at Muskingum College in Ohio, presenting “Johnny Appleseed: St. Francis or Steve Jobs?” Other alumni taking part in alumni-only conference sessions include Lisa Fain ’91, who blogs as “The Homesick Texan,” and award-winning mystery writer Deborah Crombie.
Carol Daeley, Austin College Henry L and Laura H. Shoap Professor in English, coordinated the conference.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 36 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of 1,250 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.