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Meet our English Program Students
Elizabeth Sanger, Senior
Elizabeth Sanger is originally from Chazy, New York, although she has lived all over the country. She is an English major in the final semester of her senior year.
The Professors at Plattsburgh State are a Wonderful Group of People
All of the professors I have met in the Plattsburgh State English department have been fantastic--receptive to their students' needs and desires, enthusiastic about the literature and theory they're teaching, honest but diplomatic in their critique of student work. The creative writing I have done at Plattsburgh State has exceeded my own expectations.
Dr. M.D. Kutzer and Dr. Jon Chatlos have both been instrumental in the overall positivity of my experience at Plattsburgh State. The true facilities of an English department are the brains behind it, and those that I have encountered here have all been superlative.
The English Program is Like a Community
I have met a core group of writers at Plattsburgh State with whom I share work and scintillating conversation. The classes are small, and the subsequent availability of professors is great.
Erin Seaman, Senior
Erin Seaman is from Cornwall, NY, near Newburgh and West Point. She is an English Writing major and a Psychology minor.
Many Positive Influences at Plattsburgh State
"I find Plattsburgh State to be a very personable college. The faculty is responsive to the students, the administration interacts successfully with the student body, and the students that go here are great.
Inside the English department, Dr. Chatlos, Dr. Ostry, and Dr. Butterfield all helped me very much. I am currently taking English classes with Dr. Torres-Padilla and Dr. Shout that I enjoy. I like exploring new ways of writing and reading different formats of writing styles. I love the classroom size of most English classes because they are small enough to have open discussion.
Outside of the English major, I am Vice President for Activities for the Student Association, and Melanie Wyand, from the office of Campus Life, has been my biggest influence. All the friends I've made at Plattsburgh State make it feel like my second home."
Joe Finckel, Senior
Joe Finckel is an English Literature major from Morrisonville, NY.
Writing is My Creative Outlet
I entered college with an undeclared major. I knew I was interested in liberal arts, but had yet to decide on an academic course. After taking two English classes to fulfill General Education requirements, I began to realize my passion for literary study. The next semester I explored my interest further by enrolling in two core English major requirements. By the end of that semester, there was little left to decide, and I promptly declared my major. I cannot fully describe the extent to which my English classes and professors have afforded me insight into myself and humanity as a whole. My ability to confidently communicate my thoughts and command the written word have increased exponentially because of my involvement in the English Department.
I am currently pursuing an interest in creative writing. My study of the elements and trends of literature, while initially fostering a great love for analyzing and appreciating written works, has spawned in me a desire to explore writing as a creative outlet. I have, since my freshman year, been extremely involved in Plattsburgh's Theatre Department and played acoustic guitar at campus open-mic nights and talent competitions. My hope is to combine my need for a creative outlet with my love for literature in order to try my own hand at the craft of writing.
What I like most about Plattsburgh State is the degree to which I've been able to become involved across the campus. In addition to being an English major, I am involved in the Plattsburgh State's Honors Program, College Theatre Association, the college's improv comedy group, the Plattsburgh State Theatre Sports League, and Omicron Delta Kappa (The Nation Leadership Honors Society). I am also Vice President of the Plattsburgh chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the National English Honors Society and have also taken advantage of several English Department writing contests (both critical and creative).
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
Thomas J. Morrissey, Chair
Phone: (518) 564-2134
Fax: (518) 564-2140
E-mail: morristj@plattsburgh.edu
SUNY Plattsburgh
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901