Welcome to the first instalment of our new blog program! We are currently looking for submissions from current undergraduate and graduate students at NKU, alumni, and current and past professors. The submissions must be related to either literature, creative writing (cannot submit own creative writing) and/or the English major at NKU. Check out our website for more information.
By Jordan Holden
It is the day before classes begin for the Fall 2013 semester at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and I am slightly jealous of my friends who are returning to campus as I continue to look for a job. In May, when I graduated, I could not have been more excited to move on to the next step. Don’t get me wrong, I am still excited for what the future holds, but I find myself missing that university, particularly the English Department. Those who are involved with the English Department at NKU know how special and wonderful it is, but to the freshmen and new students entering the English program, this is a snippet of some of the opportunities I had as an English major that I hope will encourage you as you begin your journey.
Like many students, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study. I always loved English, but many people discouraged me from pursuing that major. During my junior year, I noticed a pattern in the majors I studied (I went through four majors). English kept coming up again and again. After a lot of prayer and talks with family, advisors, and faculty, I decided it was time to ignore the “haters” and study a subject I loved. The professors who really helped me make that decision were Kelly Moffett (creative writing program) and Dr. Jon Cullick (the Department Chair at the time). They helped me open my eyes to how wonderful it is to be an English major and explore my talents, and weaknesses, as a writer.
Later that year, Kelly encouraged me to take advantage of a study abroad program to London. I received several scholarships (which covered half of my trip) and found myself on a plane to the “mother country.” While in London I met several other English majors (and a few non-English majors) as well as Andy Miller and Steve Leigh (creative writing program professors). Not only were they two of the funniest people I have ever met, but they both inspired me to explore other areas of writing. They also took me and my classmates around to some of the most amazing sites in England that I will never forget (Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge, and Bath just to name a few). I honestly don’t know if I would have studied abroad if it wasn’t for the English program.
During the remainder of my time at NKU, I had the opportunity to take courses in literature, writing studies, and literature/film. I had professors who supported me in learning all I could and stretching beyond my abilities. I grew so much as a person because of my professors in the English Department and I am the person I am today because of it.
The final part of the writing community that made being an English major so wonderful were the friends and fellow writers I met at NKU. I had several classes with most of them. We studied together, we wrote together, and we became published writers together. It was so encouraging to have other students around who loved English and were eager to be there for me on my journey. Even though I haven’t seen most of them for months, we still share our writing with each other and try to help each other grow.
I hope this post excites you for your future as an English major. I hope it impacts your life as much as it did mine.
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Jordan Holden is a 2013 graduate of Northern Kentucky University. She studied English with an emphasis in creative writing and an area of concentration in communication studies. She is currently the Youth Director at Sulphur Christian Church and a substitute teacher at Henry County Public Schools.
