Sophie Kerr Series to Feature National, Local Journalists, Washington College Alumni

The series will feature work from prominent journalists, including Washington College alumni.

In coordination with the Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, the Rose O’Neil Literary House and the English Department, Washington College will feature “Living Writers: Journalism” as part of the Sophie Kerr Series during the spring of 2022.

Journalists from publications such as The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun and Washington College alumni — Kate Tabeling (’14) and Emma Way (’16) — along with a Pulitzer Prize winner will present and discuss their work to all attendees.

“I’m thrilled by the opportunity that Washington College students have to interact with and learn from journalists who spend every day reporting and writing the stories that shape the way we see the world,” said Sufiya Abdur-Rahman, professor of creative writing and journalism and instructor of the “Living Writers: Journalism” course. “I couldn’t think of a better time to launch this series than right now.” 

“Supported by the Sophie Kerr legacy and the Rose O’Neill Literary House, Washington College has long provided students with unparalleled access to the world of writing through its unique Living Writers course, where students are assigned the works of the writers who visit campus and their classroom,” said Sean Meehan, chair of the English department and curator of the Sophie Kerr endowment. “This year, as part of our new minor in Journalism, Editing & Publishing, we are excited to focus on journalism and a series that ranges from environmental and science journalists to community journalists and a Pulitzer-Prize winning feature writer.”

Four events will take place beginning in late February and will run until late April — two will be held in-person and two will be held virtually. They are as follows:

• Environmental Journalism: Earl Swift, author of “Chesapeake Requiem: A Year with the Watermen of Vanishing Tangier Island”
  • Hotchkiss Recital Hall, Gibson Center for the Arts
  • February 24, 4:30 p.m.
• (Virtual) Community Journalism: John-John Williams IV, Baltimore Sun; Katie Tabeling, Delaware Business Times; Emma Way, Axios Charlotte
  • March 8, 10 a.m.
• Science Journalism: Erika Hayasaki, author of “The Death Class: A True Story About Life” and associate professor of Literary Journalism at UC Irvine
  • Hynson Lounge/Hodson Hall
  • March 22, 4:30 p.m.
• (Virtual) Narrative Journalism: Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, contributor to The Believer, GQ and The New York Times
  • Harwood Lecture, co-sponsored with the Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience
  • April 21, 5 p.m.

To sign up for the virtual events and learn more information about the series, click here: https://www.washcoll.edu/academic_departments/english/sophie-kerr-legacy/lecture-series.php