October 12, 2019
The MFA in Writing Alumni Festival is an annual program bringing alumni back to campus to write and interact with faculty, current students, and fellow alumni. It includes a keynote address from Jo Ann Beard followed by a full day of craft talks, conversations, generative sessions, and readings featuring David Hollander MFA '97, Kathy Curto '89, MFA '12, Sarah McColl MFA '16, and more. This free event is open to all MFA in Writing alumni, current MFA in Writing students, and their guests. Event includes lunch and an evening reception.
MFA in Writing alumni, please register online. Current MFA in Writing students, please e-mail Amparo Rios at arios@sarahlawrence.edu.
2019 Presenters
- Jo Ann Beard
- Adam Chandler MFA '09
- Kathy Curto '89, MFA '12
- David Hollander MFA '97
- Leah Johnson MFA '18
- Sarah McColl MFA '16
- Sampson Starkweather MFA '05
- And more!
Schedule of Events
| Time | Event Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 - 10 a.m. | Registration | Heimbold Atrium |
| 10 - 10:45 a.m. |
Welcome and Keynote by Jo Ann Beard (Writing) |
Heimbold Donnelley Theatre |
| 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Session 1 Craft talk with Adam Chandler MFA '09 |
Various |
| 12:15 - 1 p.m. | Lunch | Barbara Walters Campus Center Room C |
| 1 - 2:15 p.m. | Faculty and Alumni Reading with Kathy Curto ’89, MFA ’12, Melissa Faliveno MFA '11, Leah Johnson MFA '18 (Writing), Nicole Dennis-Benn MFA '12, and Carolyn Ferrell '84 (Writing) | Barbara Walters Campus Room B |
| 2:15 - 2:45 p.m. | Book Signing | Barbara Walters Campus Center Lobby |
| 3 - 4:15 p.m. |
Session 2 In Conversation with David Hollander MFA '97 (Writing) and Leah Johnson MFA '18 (Writing) |
Various |
| 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. |
Session 3: Generative Exercises Fiction with Rattawut Lapcharoensap (Writing) |
Various |
| 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. |
Reception and Toasts |
|
| 6:45 p.m. |
Final Toast by Vijay Seshadri |
|
Past Presenters
2018 Presenters
- Marcia Bradley MFA '17
- Traci Brimhall MFA ‘08
- Melissa Febos MFA ‘08
- Carolyn Ferrell '84
- Suzanne Gardinier
- Jaclyn Gilbert MFA ’15
- Marie Howe
- T Kira Madden MFA ‘12
- Mary Morris
- Victoria Redel
- David Ryan
- Joan Silber '67
- Jake Slichter
- Corinne Sullivan MFA ’16
- Leah Umansky MFA ’04
- Carol Zoref MFA '97
2017 Presenters
- Chris Antzoulis MFA '13
- Eleanor Chai '88
- Patricia Dunn MFA '98
- Carolyn Ferrell ’84
- Jimin Han MFA '98
- Kamilah Aisha Moon MFA '06
- Mary Morris
- Jessica Hendry Nelson MFA '10
- Dennis Nurkse
- Maya Pindyck MFA '06
- Nelly Reifler MFA '96
- Vijay Seshadri
- Alexandra Soiseth MFA '00
- Jean Valentine
- Lauren Waterman MFA '09
2016 Presenters
- Chris Antzoulis MFA '13
- Bethany Ball MFA '13
- Curtis Bauer MFA '99
- Jessamyn Hope MFA '03
- Nelly Reifler MFA '96
- And others...