Lorrie Smith, professor of English, and Bob Niemi, professor of English, traveled to Washington, DC, on August 11, 2017 to celebrate the swearing-in as a federal immigration judge of English Department graduate Charles Conroy ’93. The investiture took place at a Department of Justice building in Falls Church, VA. Charles was one of nine new Federal Immigration Judges sworn in. Says Lorrie, “He also wrote a play about immigration that was produced off-Broadway a few years ago, so he has kept his English/Creative Writing interests going!” Bob explained how he, Smith and George Dameron of the History Department all “had Chuck as a student during his years at SMC (1989-1993). He was an Air Force vet and somewhat older than the average undergrad and far more mature and personable. We've kept in touch over the years and he invited us to his investiture.” George and Lorrie also attended Chuck's graduation from Vermont Law School several years ago.
(posted December 2017)
Lorrie Smith, professor of English and American Studies, has accepted an offer to participate in the NEH Summer Institute "Don't Deny My Voice: Reading and Teaching African American Poetry," to be held July 14-August 3, 2013 on the campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. NEH Summer Scholar in this three-week institute receive a stipend for travel, housing and food.