Department of English

[ 2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s ]

2000s

Anthony J. Adams
BA, 2000, English
Occupation/Employer: Picture framer, Sigman’s Gallery
News: I write from time to time (Nuvo, Atomic Magazine, Retroradar.com), and have started a web site to show off anything I can write.

Cornellia (Nykki) Bunch
BA, 2000, English
Occupation/Employer: Homemaker
News: Married to John R. Bunch; 2 children; husband finishing graduate English degree at IUPUI currently.

Angela DeVoss
BA, 2000, English
Occupation/Employer: Enjoying being a housewife just had 3^rd baby on August 17, 2006.
News: I’m so glad I got my degree in English. I worked in law offices for a few years, but am glad to be home now with my children. Having a degree in English has given me the confidence to help others with editing and writing skills. I felt able to help out at my oldest son’s school and had the confidence to home-school my son for a year. My degree is definitely not being wasted; and, I know I will be able to find a job at some point if I need/want to. I was published twice in a Christian women’s newsletter. I wrote a couple of articles about nutrition.

Gloria Reeves
BA, 2000, English
Occupation/Employer: Teach ESL, Study Skills, and Composition at Front Range Community College in CO. Also teach online classes.
News: Conducting dissertation research currently in Denver, CO in area of writing assessment; working toward a Ph.D. in Language Education at IU Bloomington.

Sherry Kieper
BA, 2001, English
Occupation/Employer: Interlibrary Loan Officer, IU Medical School Library
News: I have continued to read. Now I am reading and researching Theodore Dreiser.

Pam Newlin
BA, 2001, English
Occupation/Employer: Self-employed
News: I am self-employed and work out of my home making/creating commissioned pieces of art. I also make candles. At this time -needless to say- I am not putting my degree to work. Occasionally, I do some editing for my husband for his software business, but that is the extent that I’ve put my degree to use. Recently, I’ve gotten in contact with a board member of the “Friends of the Library” committee at the Greenwood library. I will soon begin volunteering there at least once per week. Sometimes I miss school, but mostly I’m just enjoying my freedom of homework-free weekends and taking on only those projects that I enjoy. J

Rod Brown
MA, 2002, English
Occupation/Employer: Associate Professor of English, Ivy Tech – Richmond
News: Recently appointed Department Chair of Liberal Arts and Academic Services.

Lori Bruns
BA, 2002, English; MA, 2006, English
Occupation/Employer: Associate Faculty of English, IUPUI
News: I will begin teaching three sections of W001 (ESL) in Fall 2006. I completed my M.A. in August under the direction of Dr. Ulla Connor. I will also be working part-time as a tutor/instructor for the Indiana Center for Intercultural Communication. My B.A. in English was also obtained at IUPUI, so I have been affiliated with the university since ’99.

Matthew Lorch
BA, 2002, English
Occupation/Employer: Teacher- Peace Corps (US Government)
News: Left June ’03 for Benin in West Africa. Benin is French-speaking country and I teach English and manage a Peace-Corps “Safe House.” Hopefully, I will return to the US in July ’05.

Gabriel Harley
BA, 2003, English
Occupation/Employer: Owner, Prana Recording & Multimedia
News: I have recently completed production on several national and international recording projects, launched a record label (PRM Records), and am preparing to release a CD of my own music which includes collaborations with several talented musicians including “Divas II” star Joyce Licorish and John Fogerty, and keyboardist/guitarist Matt Nolen.

Melody A. Howard
BA, 2003, English
Occupation/Employer: Ivy Tech State College, Instructor
News: First year graduate student at Butler. Candidate for M.A., literature
and I teach Intro English, Reading, and College Life and Success Skills at Ivy Tech State College.

Sarah A. Taylor
BA, 2003, English
Occupation/Employer: Xerox Business Services
News: Starting my M.A. at IUPUI in English. Hope to complete within 2½ years and eventually pursue a PhD, concentrating in Literature.

Brandie Weddle-Price
BA, 2003, English
Occupation/Employer: Clerk for Honorable Frank Sullivan, Indiana State Supreme Court
News: Graduated from Harvard Law School in June of 2006. Passed the Indiana Bar and admitted to practice in October of 2006

Emily Dean
MA, 2005, English
Occupation/Employer: Assistant Director, Chicago Society, University of Chicago

Pat Harvey
BA, 2005, English
Occupation/Employer: IUPUI, English writing program, part-time instructor

Bridget M. Hoare
BA, 2005, English
Occupation/Employer: Telamon Corp., Assistant Project Manager
News: I found that the JagJobs website was very helpful. That is how I found Telamon.

Erin McLendon
BA, 2005, English
Occupation/Employer: ClearPoint Legal

David Lawson
MA, 2005, English
Occupation/Employer: English Teacher
News: Teaching at Center Grove High School (14^th year), coordinating Professional Development for staff. As part of Public Law 221 requirements we chose a school-wide writing goal. This year I drafted a new professional writing goal process that relies on action research (as one option) or Peter Elbow’s idea of structuring curricula with “law” and “high stakes” writing assignments (as another option.) To clarify, PL 221 sets out measures for schools to attain every four years as part of No Child Left Behind mandates.

Laura Scott
BA, 2005, English
Occupation/Employer: United States Army
News: I am living a fabulous life in the Baden-Wurttemberg region of Germany, working as a program assistant with Child and Youth Services, which is a division of the Morale and Welfare Division of the United States Army, and teaching English part-time to individual students. I have lived in Germany since January 2006, and I currently live in the city of Ludwigsburg. My apartment is within walking distance to the main palace of the region (Resident Schloss). I have a long train commute to and from my job. Because of this I am spending my commute time reading everything from the classics to thrillers to beach books to the “un-heard-ofs.”

Wesley Stark
BA, 2005, English
Occupation/Employer: Allstate, Claims Processing
News: I’m now living in Plainfield, starting out in a large company and looking to use my degree to move up the corporate ladder.

Rachel Thompson
BA, 2005, English
Occupation/Employer: The Educational Advantage, Kappa Delta Pi
News: I am a graduate student at the University of Indianapolis working toward an MA in English. I am the development associate for Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education. I compose grants and assist the publications department with editing and page proofs. I am also a study coach and writing tutor for the Educational Advantage. I intend to take all of this education and training to a small country town in the middle of nowhere and open a bookstore.

Theresa Williams
BA, 2005, English
Occupation/Employer: Legal Assistant, Ruckelshaus, Roland, Kautzman, Blackwell & Hasbrook
News: I am currently working full time as a legal assistant and taking English graduate courses in linguistics as a grad-non-degree student. I hope to have a TESOL certificate within one year and will possibly seek my MA immediately after getting the certificate (or during). I work at a nice law firm where I assist four attorneys with their work in general practice – our firm is General Counsel for the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police. Also, the Senior Partner is the big brother of former Attorney General (Nixon Administration) William Ruckelshaus. “Jack” Ruckelshaus was also an Indiana State Senator. I love this firm but I hope to be teaching English abroad within the next couple of years.

1990s

Julie Kemp
BA, 1990, English
Occupation/Employer: Procedures Technician, Eli Lilly & Company

Wendy L. Smith, MD
BA, 1991/ MD, 1996
Occupation/Employer: Otolaryngology/ Head/Neck Surgeon- Solo Private Practice
News: My English degree has been priceless in medical school, residency, and private practice (and in helping my own daughter by providing heuristics for her college papers). IUPUI was a great place to get back into college after a ten year hiatus. Dr.s Sharon Hamilton, Barbara Cambridge, and Terry (Writing Fellow Director!) Molinder Hogue were wonderful mentors. (I am actually “Saint Winifred” according to Terry in the Writing Fellows Guidebook- too cool!). Yep, we English majors can do anything!

Kyle Barnett
BA, 1992, English and Philosophy
Occupation/Employer: Assistant Professor, Communications, Bellarmine University
News: I recently finished my Ph.D. in the Department of Radio-Television-Film at the University of Texas at Austin. I have accepted a tenure-track position in the Department of Communications at Bellarmine University, Louisville, Kentucky.

Sandra K. McConnell
BA, 1992, English
Occupation/Employer: Shipping Clerk/ GCS Service, Inc.

Theresa Allen
BA, English, 1993
Occupation/Employer: Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Currier Museum of Art
News: Received MA in English from University of New Hampshire (1997). Married to David Allen with two children: Will (18) and Cait (21). Since graduating, I have taught literature, writing and journalism to undergraduate students at Rivier College and the University of New Hampshire. I currently have the good fortune to write for an art museum where, each and every day, I combine my love of the humanities with art. My time at IUPUI changed my life.

Julia Cooper Grubbs
BA, 1993, English
Occupation/Employer: Roche Diagnostics
News: I have used my college education in many different capacities over the years. Being able to write clearly and concisely has been invaluable as a professional. I have been called upon by many people to write letters ranging from resignation of employment to women dumping their boyfriends! Scathing letters are my specialty.

Michele Lassaux
BA, 1993, English
Occupation/Employer: Communications Analyst, IRS

Michele Lessaux
BA, 1993, English
Occupation/Employer: Public Affairs Specialist, IRS

Anne Erqison Wishard
BA, 1993, English
News: As a member of the Board of the Wishard Memorial Foundation, I chair the Art of Healing Mural Restoration Project. We are raising funds to restore the murals painted in Wishard Hospital by members of the Hoosier School in 1914.

Penny J. Bodenhamer
BA, 1994, English
Occupation/Employer: Self-employed
News: I’ve been a freelance editor and writer in various fields, including the Indianapolis Star at one point. I also tutor a number of students as well as volunteer tutor at public schools. Best of all, I set my own hours. J

Susan Laabs
BA, 1995, English
Occupation/Employer: Scientific Communications/ Eli Lilly & Co.

David A. Reichwein
BA, English, 1995
News: David recently joined Hetrick Communications as an account manager. Before joining Hetrick, he worked as an account supervisor for Peter C. Fuller Worldwide in California. He also served as the director of marketing for Radiate in California and as a marketing consultant for Profound Consulting in Indianapolis.

Felicia Daffara
BA, 1996, English
Occupation/Employer: Real estate agent to CA and FL realtor
News: Writing a script for a feature film, “The Day the Carnival Stopped”

Catherine (Salin) Derrow
BA, 1997, English
Occupation/Employer: Stay-at-home mom
News: Taught English in Korea, 1999-2000. Received M.A. in Teaching ESL, 2001 (from Ohio State University). Married Dr. Solomon Derrow 8/31/2003. Birth of daughter, Dorra Eden Derrow, 4/7/2004.

Alexander Cicak
BA, 1998, English
Occupation/Employer: Writer, director; Self-employed
News: My first film is currently available on DVD (“Mr. ID”). Currently in pre-production on a horror film.

Katherine Ellison
BA, 1998, English
Occupation/Employer: I completed my MA and Ph.D. in English at Emory University. Currently, I am a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Literature and Media Studies at Illinois State University. My book, "Fatal"
News: "Reading and Information Overload in Early Eighteenth-Century Literature," has been published by Routledge (Jan. 2006). Research for my second book, "The Whispering Office: Cryptography and Intelligence in Literary England, 1640-1740," is in progress and funded by an ISU New Faculty Initiative Grant. I have presented papers at national conferences, including meetings of the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies, the American Literature Association, and the Aphra Behn Society. Thank you to IUPUI's English department faculty for a fantastic education and continued professional support and advice.

Jan Wittry
BA, 1998, English
Occupation/Employer: Web Content Creator, SGI, Inc./NASA Glenn Research Center
News: I write feature articles for NASA.gov and edit web content for NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

Caroline Carver
BA, 1999, English
Occupation/Employer: Network Engineer, Indiana University

Rose Rabb
BA, 1999, English
Occupation/Employer: Rabb & Howe Cabinet Top Co., Office Manager
News: Quit full time job at Dow Agrosciences to stay at home with my baby. Now employed with my husband’s company.

Tlose Tcabb
BA, 1999, English
Occupation/Employer: Tcabb & Howe Cabinet Top Co.

1980s

Barbara Koons
BA, 1984, English/ MFA, 1995
Occupation/Employer: Self-writer
News: My first book, Night Highway, published by Cloudbank Books in 2005, was the first finalist in the poetry category for “Best Book of Indiana 2006” sponsored by the Indiana State Library.

Sharon (Muller) Concannon
BA, 1984, English
Occupation/Employer: Nanny, Fundraiser
News: Three children, 5 ½ grandchildren.

Donna Baker Stouder
BA, 1986, English
Occupation/Employer: Marketing and Public Relations Director for Columbus area Arts Council.
News: My degree in English (undergraduate) was followed by a MA in Education. I did not pursue teaching because I maintain a certain level of sanity. My professional life after graduation has been in not-for-profit organizations and primarily in the arts. There is no question that the English degree has opened the doors that have made my professional life so rewarding. I live on a hill in Brown County with my husband, two dogs, three cats and an undetermined number of wild creatures.

Joyce K. Jensen
BA, 1987, English
Occupation/Employer: Self-Employed
News: While I continue to write, I also began painting watercolors about 3½ years ago. Recently I received a Merit Award in the 80 th annual Hoosier Salon exhibition, and had a painting exhibited at the State Fair. I received the Best of Watermedia award at the Indianapolis Art Center Student Show. I have a painting in the just-released book, Splash 8: Watercolor Discoveries from North Light Books. My paintings have also been exhibited in shows in California, Texas, New York City, Colorado, Wisconsin, and right here in Indianapolis. Maybe next year I’ll have more time to write again, but writing and painting seem to spring from the same well of creativity.

Catherine Smock
BA, 1987, English
Occupation/Employer: Public Relations Writer, Hancock County Public Library

James A. Wilder
BA, 1989, English
Occupation/Employer: S.B.C. Communications
News: Have been with SBC for nearly 9 years. I served as a writhing instructor at Ivy Tech for 1 year. Have taken on a new project as Public Relations and Communications Director for Indianapolis’ newest design firm- GashDesigns.com, a web-based design firm serving clients’ needs in web, architectural, and interior design.

1970s

Frances E. Jackson
BA, 1970 English (IU)
MA, 1978 English (PU)
Occupation/Employer: Retired Teacher
News: Since retiring from teaching, I have been very active with poetry and art. My poetry book, including basic poetry instruction and a journal was published in 2004. The title is Jeweled Rainbow. Two of my poems were chosen to be displayed on Indy-Go buses in Indianapolis in 2006. I tutor at Westfield Schools. My art work has been shared at Barnes & Noble in Westfield and at the Miami County Museum in Peru, IN. I am grateful for the excellent education I received at IU Kokomo, IU-Indianapolis, Purdue University and IUPUI. I had great teachers! I am still a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Judith LaFourest
BA, 1972, English
Occupation/Employer: Ivy Tech Community College-Indianapolis
News: I am a full-time faculty member in the English Department teaching creative writing, world literature, and freshman composition courses. I am the speaker series director, and the faculty editor/advisor of the college’s literary publication, New Voices. Also, I am faculty advisor for the Odeon Society (Drama Club) on campus.

Mary Sexson
BA, 1976, English
Occupation/Employer: Teacher/Co-Administrator, The Children’s House
News: Published a book of poetry in 2004: 103 in the Light-Selected Poems; Nominated “Best Books of Indiana” 2005, Poetry Division, won Honorable Mention (Indiana Center for the Book-Indiana State Library).

John Gauld
BA, 1974, English
MBA, 1978
Occupation/Employer: Language Arts Teacher, Oconee County School System
News: After 25 years in Marketing and Advertising, I have returned to teaching.
I am in my third year as a 7th grade Language Arts teacher at Oconee County
Middle School. In August I completed my Eds degree in education leadership at the University of Alabama. My wife works for the basketball program at the
University of Georgia, my son is a student at UGA, and my elder daughter is a
freshman at Mercer University, while my younger daughter is a senior in high
school.

Karen M. Byers
BA, 1975, English
Ph.D. 1995, Business Strategy
Occupation/Employer: Financial Representative/ Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
News: Currently working as a financial advisor; Ph.D. is in business strategy; husband Alan E. Ellstrand is Director of the MBA Program at the University of Arkansas; son Kevin is in 9 th grade and is an outstanding athlete.

John D. Giovanoni
BA, 1976, English
Occupation/Employer: Self-employed (Insurance broker)
News: While studying for my undergraduate degree, I was already employed in the insurance industry. I have continued in that career ever since. I have found that my English curriculum helped me in my profession a great deal. Aside from insurance, my life’s passion is the visual arts, particularly painting.

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