THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE
PAGE 10
April 13, 2015
FREESTYLE
Graduate goes from alumnus to author Chris Hunter reflects on university’s influence on his murder mystery novel by Stacy Reppond
His pen darts across the lined page of his notepad as ideas flood Chris Hunter’s head. On that couch inside the chapel of the Methodist campus ministry, his thoughts ignite the spark for a draft of his first Christian murder mystery novel. The Wesley Foundation’s influence extends past the recent graduate’s novel called “Engaged To Be Murdered” on to his work that continues today. This novel follows 22-year-old graduate student James Ellis who returns to his “idyllic” hometown of Carrington, Louisiana, for a master’s degree. When his childhood friend Corey Andrews finds his fiancée murdered in her apartment, Ellis joins the search for her killer.
Even with an intense plot, Hunter designs Ellis with “his own flaws and imperfections” as relatable to readers. “I wanted to make him seem like a person that you know,” Hunter said. The book opens Hunter’s “Grad School Can Be Murder” series that could include “at least” 16 books. After his undergraduate career at Louisiana Tech University, Hunter attended classes at ULM in the summer of 2010 before entering the graduate program fulltime that fall. Hunter received his master’s degree in business administration in December 2012. Hunter remembers learning about online publishing in an article from one of his marketing courses. His time as a Warhawk was the basis for much of “Engaged To Be Murdered.” The book is set in a town comparable to Monroe with scenes at a similar university. He also patterned some characters after people he’s met here. Though initial drafts surfaced while
at ULM, the novel came together 2 years after he graduated. Hunter decided to revisit drafts set aside and challenge himself to write mystery fiction. “I wanted to channel my energy into a field of writing that I didn’t think I would pursue,” Hunter Hunter said. Hunter created Ellis’ friends, Miguel Rodriguez and Corey Andrews, from the likes of his actual friends from the Wesley. His inspiration to publish answered his question: “Now that I’ve finished college, what am I supposed to do now?” The “cozy mystery” genre allowed him to tap into his creativity and imagination. They don’t load down readers with much police jargon, forensics or gore. The genre always captured his interest, and his exposure in high school to authors such as Mary Higgins Clark fostered it.
Hunter’s novel stemmed from how he, as a young African-American male, felt mystery novels lack diversity in characters. The novel also served to share his Christian faith that’s “carried [him] through difficult times.” Tinsley Anderson, a junior English major, sees the personal impact the university had on him. “There are endless options for setting, characters and themes, but Chris’ decision to use the likeness of ULM throughout his novel speaks volumes about our university and the positive impact it has on its students,” Anderson said. She also said his success “shines a light of hope” on students who also seek for their works to be published. “Chris Hunter’s success will give inspiration to not only English majors, but also to any ULM student hopeful of achieving a lifelong dream,” Anderson said. contact Stacy Reppond at repponsm@warhawks.ulm.edu
Majors might not matter after college by Etta Adams
Most college students likely can’t go through a spring family reunion without that one question from an older relative. “What are you going to do with your life after graduation?” This question arrives after the popular pair of “What’s your major? What are you going to do with that?” Today’s students enter college with the possibility that their careers might divert from their degrees. Recent trends suggest that this does not always hinder graduates hunting for jobs. More jobs today only require an undergraduate degree and don’t specify a required field of study. In fact, a Washington Post article said 27 percent of students actually enter a work field that required their degree. This is based off a 2010 American Community Survey by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Of course, some students’ paths don’t just
end at the undergraduate level. Bailey Patton, a junior biology major, said she plans to go to medical school where she hopes to becomes a plastic surgeon though unsure of her desired concentration. “I’ve always had such a fascination with it. The idea of being able to help people improve their Patton self-esteem and self-confidence is such a thrill to me,” Patton said. Other students have multiple directions in mind for post-college life. Ashton Mason is a junior secondary education major with a biology concentration. Mason said she has several ideas for post-graduation. Mason will return to her hometown in Natchez, Mississippi, where she plans on teaching at a local junior high or high school.
She envisions teaching “biology, life science, anatomy and physiology, algebra, pre-algebra or geometry. The plan is to be as flexible of a teacher as possible.” Mason said she then hopes to come back to ULM after teaching for a couple of years and earn an online master’s degree in education administration. After this, she plans to become a headmaster or a principal. “I’d really like to be part of the reformation of education in Louisiana, Mississippi or surrounding states,” Mason said. Though the choice of major might not carry as heavy an influence as in past years, recent ULM graduate Hope Barton said she can understand the trend. “More students are pursuing majors in things they are passionate about instead of the job prospects. And there is nothing wrong with that,” Barton said. Barton said that knowledge in a wide variety of fields will aid any applicant and help them to establish a unique background.
Her advice for a student looking toward the future, regardless of major, includes remaining confident in “what you spent so many years learning.” “Don’t be afraid to do something just for the learning experience,” Barton said. Post-graduate reality doesn’t always meet expectations, as Barton’s experience showed. She said she was surprised by difficulty in finding entry level positions. This is another aspect of the changing job hunt.
Did you know? In 2010, only 62 percent of U.S. college graduates had a job that required a college degree. contact Etta Adams at adamsee@warhawks.ulm.edu