The idea for an ENC Literary Magazine centered on issues of social justice arose during a dinner conversation over the summer between senior Taylor Kelliher, associate professor Dr. Marianna Krejci-Papa, and Dr. Laurie Giles, director of the Center for Responsibility and Justice.
“I had gone to a couple of the events last year, but I always felt like CRJ was underrepresented,” Kelliher said. “Students didn’t really know about all that was going on . . . and the events that they were giving.”
At the dinner, Kelliher proposed starting a publication to talk about social justice issues.
The publication is staffed by a small number of students: Kelliher as the editor in chief, junior Leah Anderson as copy editor, and junior Hannah Dawber as art director. One issue will be released each semester, with every issue addressing a different theme.
The theme of the first literary magazine is “Justice in Education.” Submissions were accepted throughout September by students, and articles were commissioned by faculty and staff directly working in the field.
The magazine features a wide variety of writing styles, including scholarly articles, poetry, and photography.
“A literary magazine is a really good way to encourage students to talk,” Kelliher said. “Sometimes if it’s just scholarly articles or just news, or journalism-based articles, you might leave out some people who don’t have a direct way of talking about [the issues]. I think creative writing is how most of us express ourselves even if we don’t think of it consciously.”
The literary magazine, the name of which will be a surprise, is set to be released before Thanksgiving break. Students will be able to buy copies of the first magazine for about $5.
The funding for the magazine was given by a private donor (who will be revealed in the first issue) in a lump sum to cover the cost of the first issue. Kelliher expressed that adjunct professor Paul Bowen has been instrumental in brainstorming ways to get grants to continue the magazine.
“This is a chance for a small conservative school to talk about big global issues . . . a way for other people to have a voice,” Kelliher said.
The tentative theme for the next publication is “Justice for Children.” The CRJ Literary magazine looks forward to getting feedback on their first publication and to starting the conversation about social justice.