ON CAMPUS
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POINTS FOR POETRY ROCK PILE POETS
It’s no secret that, if you want an easy A in an English class, you don’t sign up for class with Dr. Fitts. Though I haven’t experienced his SARAH classes firsthand, I’ve VENTURA had many a friend who coasted through academy English just to wind up shell-shocked with an F on their rough draft for his College Writing course. Dr. Fitts doesn’t play games; if you expect to do well in his class, expect to put in the work. For students whose scholastic weak spot is grammar, or for those who would rather learn anatomical insertion points than learn how to incorporate anastrophe into their poetry, surviving a Fitts class can seem like a struggle at best. However, for all of you taking one of his classes this semester (especially those who related all too well to my last sentence), take heart. There is hope. Since 1989, Dr. Fitts has incorporated Rock Pile Poets as a way for his students
to earn extra credit in his classes. Inspired by the movie the Dead Poets Society, Rock Pile Poets is a monthly grade-boosting opportunity for students to present their poem of choice to Dr. Fitts and their fellow classmates. For a maximum of 10 extra credit points, students can submit a hard copy and then either read or memorize an original or favorite poem. (For those who think you don’t have a favorite poem, just remember that song lyrics are poetry put to music.) Anyone who feels terrified at the thought of receiving critique on an original poem, you’re not alone. That would terrify me, too. The good news is that, while Dr. Fitts will point out a grammatical error, what he’s really looking for is all the things you’re doing right. “Sometimes students don’t realize the techniques they’re already using,” says Dr. Fitts. “Point them out, and they think, ‘Maybe I am a writer.’” Slade Lane, a self-described “Fitts-aholic,” has been a faithful attender of Rock Pile Poets during his six Dr. Fitts classes. He attests to the benefits of the Rock Pile
SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR POETRY CONTEST BY APHELANDRA MESSER The Division of Humanities is hosting its annual poetry contest. Students and faculty of Union College are invited to enter a poem for consideration before submissions close at noon on February 7. Student entries will be judged by a panel of professors from the humanities division and the fine arts division. Faculty entries will be judged by a group of students (Micah Robinson, Michael Rohm, and Aphelandra Messer) and one alumna (Addison Hudgins). Winners will be announced on Monday, February 17. The top three student winners and one faculty winner will receive $20 to $30 gift cards to Barnes and Noble, and the top twenty poems will be on special display in the McClelland Art Gallery. Interested poets can send their entries to Christi Daniels at christimdaniels@gmail.com; one entry is allowed per person.
Poets, describing it as a “free environment to grow in and get compliments and feedback.” If you have the urge to become a better writer, or if you know that you’re going to need all the extra credit you can possibly get in one of his classes, make time join Dr. Fitts at Rock Pile Poets. For more information on when and where Rock Pile Poets meets, run up to the fourth floor of the Dick Building and ask the man himself. SARAH VENTURA is a junior studying exercise science.
OFF CAMPUS UPDATE:
ART IN THE GARDENS BY MAGGIE DORN Noyes Art Gallery will be presenting their Art in the Garden show August 23, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sunken Gardens located on 27th and Capitol Parkway. This is the second time art enthusiasts will have the rare opportunity to enjoy beautiful gardens and art simultaneously. Guests can enjoy live music, original art for sale, free admission, and free parking. You won’t want to miss this event, so mark your calendars! This year the Noyes Art Gallery is sponsored in part by Great Western Bank. Partial proceeds will be donated to the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Center. In case of rain, the show will resume on August 24th. For questions or more information, please call the Noyes Art Gallery at 402-475-1061.