Prolific children’s author offers some halloween-season chills
The latest book from Heather Alexander ’89 is Haunted USA, which compiles spooky tales from all 50 states.
NoViolet Bulawayo wins the Best of Caine award
Zimbabwean writer NoViolet Bulawayo has won the Best of Caine award, an honorary prize celebrating a story from past winners of the Caine Prize for African Writing, to mark its 25th anniversary. The prize was given for a short story praised by judges for its “powerful language, distinctive tone of voice, and bold, compelling storytelling”.
Teens’ portraits celebrate Toni Morrison as community-builder
High schoolers from Ithaca and Brooklyn produced the artworks depicting Morrison and a local student, a collaboration that promises to introduce Morrison's work to new generations of New Yorkers.
Culler receives 2026 Wayne C. Booth Lifetime Achievement Award
A specialist in literary and cultural theory and French literature of the 19th century, Culler will receive the award in June 2026 during the International Society for the Study of Narrative conference in Denmark.
Animals are dashing, stampeding, gliding into contemporary fiction: Book explores how
Elisha Cohn's second book, “Milieu: A Creaturely Theory of the Contemporary Novel,” also explores the methods authors are using to give animals a voice.
Jean Blackall, first woman tenured in English at Cornell, dies at 97
Jean Frantz Blackall, a Cornell faculty member from 1958-94 who in 1971 became the first woman to receive tenure in what was then the Department of English, in the College of Arts and Sciences, died July 15 in Williamsburg, Virginia. She was 97.
Four-day event celebrates 70 years of Toni Morrison’s Cornell legacy
A four-day event featuring films, panels, workshops, the unveiling of a mural and other activities will celebrate the 70th anniversary of her degree, life and work. “Toni Morrison: Literature and Public Life” will take place Sept. 18-21.
Dual-campus visit highlights A.D. White Professors-at-Large lineup
Best-selling writer and technology blogger Cory Doctorow will make the A.D. White Professor-at-Large program’s second dual-campus visit, ending his week at Cornell Tech in New York City. Four other professors will visit Cornell this fall.
Why the Hill is home to amazing 'collections of collections'
Our Big Red history expert recalls the McGraw Hall museum, which once housed an astounding array of objects.
New Faculty: Sandeep Parmar
Sandeep Parmar, Literatures in English
New Faculty: James Byrne
James Byrne, Literatures in English
Alum’s company nourishes babies’ brains through science-backed play
With Lovevery, Jessica Crolick Rolph ’97, MBA ’04, has tapped a global market for early childhood learning and enrichment
Horror, comedy, musicals and Jane Austen: Cornell Cinema’s fall 2025 season
This fall’s slate of films at Cornell Cinema offers many options for connection and inspiration.
2025 Nexus Scholars talk about academic growth, transformation
Ten students who participated in this summer's Nexus Scholars Program share their stories..
Your August 2025 Reads
This month’s featured titles include the latest from a top mystery writer, a Marvel omnibus, and a look at challenges to democracy – many by A&S faculty and alumni.
Censorship from the other side of the aisle: New book considers publishing trends
A book from Adam Szetela Ph.D. ’25 explores a new version of self-censorship in the publishing world.
Winners of the 2025 Freund Prize for Creative Writing read on October 2
The Department of Literatures in English celebrates the winners of the 2025 Philip Freund Prize for Creative Writing in recognition of excellence in publication: Liza Flum, Poet (MFA '16), Jon Hickey, Novelist (MFA '07), Meredith Talusan, Author, journalist and editor, (MFA '15 ) and Esther Kondo Heller, Poet, Writer, and Artist (MFA '23)
She’s got game: Sarah Spain ’02 is a star of sports journalism
The ESPN veteran hosts the first-ever daily podcast on women’s athletics—and she just published her first book
Your June 2025 reads
This month’s featured titles include the latest from A&S faculty Ishion Hutchinson and Charlie Green, plus A&A alumni Chris Pavone '89 and Sarah Spain '02.
Why experimental art is more important than ever
When we focus on making our work marketable, it’s no longer the creative endeavor that our society so desperately needs, alumna Jesi Bender-Buell '07 writes in a Chime In column.
Reunion 2025: The view from five years out
Members of the Class of 2020 remember their journeys at Cornell.
Professors address climate change from multiple disciplines
The panel, during Reunion 2025, was called "Beyond the Apocalypse: New Narratives and Innovations for Climate Action."
From posters to precedent, humanities scholars showcase their research
Projects spanned topics from Confederate cemeteries to Korean textiles.
I’ve Always Been a Generalist—and on ‘Jeopardy!,’ It Paid Off
Dan Moren ’02 explains why becoming a two-time champion on the legendary quiz show felt like ‘a vindication of a life full of eclectic interests.’
Alumni Visit Campus for Ammons Reading Series
Beverly Tanenhaus (BA ’70) and Ingrid Arnesen (BA ’76) attended the 4th semesterly Ammons Reading Series to enjoy undergraduate poetry and fiction and honor the legacy of the late A.R. Ammons, Goldwin Smith Professor of Poetry.
Your May 2025 reads
This month’s featured titles include essays on womanhood by A&S alumna Nicole Graev Lipson ’98.
Two A&S professors awarded the Berlin Prize
The highly competitive Berlin Prize is awarded annually to U.S.-based scholars, writers, composers and artists who represent the highest standards of excellence in their fields.
Outstanding faculty win 2025 teaching and advising awards
Among those being recognized for exceptional teaching and mentorship this year are faculty members Begüm Adalet, Claudia Verhoeven, and Marcelo Aguiar.
Cornell writers inspire kids’ poetry at Ithaca Children’s Garden
A crew of Cornell creative writers lent their time and experience to guide young poets during Nature Poetry in the Garden, an event held May 3 at the Ithaca Children’s Garden.
'My thesis analyzes both ancient and contemporary literature'
Sarah Stephenson is majoring in English and classics.
'When my friends and I put on a show, it is everything to us.'
Tess Lovell is majoring in English and performing and media arts.
'I now think intersubjectivity is the most important part of the human condition'
S. Gottfried is a Robert S. Harrison College Scholar who is also majoring in philosophy & English.
'I’ve realized that activism takes many forms'
Parker Piccolo Hill is majoring in English and Italian.
'I've been pushed to craft work that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply informed'
Kaylani Williams is an English major.
'I’ve grown confident in conducting independent research'
Jasmine He is an English major.
'The world really is your oyster'
Grace Elmore is majoring in English & religious studies.
Exploring adolescence and young adulthood, one episode at a time
Through shows like ‘XO, Kitty,’ screenwriter Jessica O’Toole ’94 relishes highlighting the ‘inherent stakes and drama’ of youth.
Poet Ishion Hutchinson tilts into expansive essay writing
Award-winning poet Ishion Hutchinson is making his prose debut with his first essay collection, which brings together two decades’ worth of probing reflections on his childhood in Jamaica, the country’s cultural and colonial history and his maturation as a writer.
Throughout history, poets find inspiration at Cornell
Visit the Poetry Foundation website, type in “Cornell,” and you’ll find 405 results.
Your April 2025 reads
This month’s featured titles include poetry, a Creative Writing Program prof’s neo noir novel, and a memoir about working for two celebrity chefs
Ask an Ambassador: Explore all of your interests
"My experiences with exploration pushed me to uncover new interests."
French university honors Jonathan Culler for literary contributions
On March 26, the University of Paris 8 on March 26 recognized Culler for his contributions to literary and theoretical studies and his close ties with French intellectual movements.
Rosenberg named Poet Laureate of Tompkins County
“I believe poetry offers us valuable opportunities to slow down, to reflect, and to extend our empathy, and I’m excited to share these gifts with our whole community,” Rosenberg said.
Alumna’s book wrestles with society’s expectations of women
From Kate Chopin to Maya Angelou to Shakespeare, Nicole Lipson ’98 uses literature to grapple with gender roles.
Your March 2025 reads
This month’s featured titles include a debut novel and a nonfiction book about the comedy troupe Firesign Theater, both by A&S authors.
War, love and loyalty: The ‘Iliad’ in Ithaca on March 12-13
A virtual event with translator Emily Wilson and a daylong community reading of portions of Homer’s epic poem highlight the spring Arts Unplugged event.
Your February 2025 reads
This month’s featured titles include books by A&S faculty and alumni: poetry, a kids’ book about Bali, and a short story collection.
Remembering Molly Hite, professor emerita of English
Hite taught at Cornell from 1982 until her retirement in 2013.
Prof’s new novel imagines a U.S. without Texas
Charlie Green’s new novel, “The Shah of Texas,” published Feb. 18 from Gold Wake Press.
Freelance Theater Critic and Editor Brittani Samuel Wins George Jean Nathan Award
The award committee praised Samuel for her “impressive breadth of address to the playgoing public,” foregrounding “the critic’s own social position in an effort to promote more thoughtful and empathetic theatergoing.”