English News

Dr. Becca Klaver is the newest Assistant Professor of English for the Department of English.
November 18, 2026: Becca Klaver is JMU English's new poetry professor
Introducing Dr. Sarah Hagelin, New English AUH
October 26, 2026: Dr. Sarah Hagelin is the new Academic Unit Head for the Department of English.
JMU English Students Visit the Library of Congress
September 30, 2026: JMU English students from Dr. Courtney Murray Ross’ ENG 408 Early Black Press course visited the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., on September 23rd.
Ivy Ridenhour is the Outstanding Student in English
May 12, 2026: Ivy Ridenhour ('26) is named the 2025-26 Outstanding Student in English.
Publishing Roundtable: From Internship to Industry
May 6, 2026: The JMU Creative Writing program hosted its first Publishing Roundtable: From Internship to Industry event on November 11th, 2025.
How Jacqueline Rodebaugh ('14) is Inspiring the Next Generation of Thinkers
April 17, 2026: Jacqueline Rodebaugh, a 2014 Alumna, credits her time at JMU as an English major and American Studies minor with improving and shaping her skills as a teacher and writer.
New York Times Bestselling Author Virginia Evans to Visit JMU
March 4, 2026: Virginia Evans, JMU English alumna and author of the New York Times bestselling novel, "The Correspondent" will visit JMU on April 9th, 2026.
Dr. Brooks Hefner receives Madison Scholar Award
November 17, 2025: Professor of English, Dr. Brooks Hefner, is the 2026 College of Arts and Letters Madison Scholar Award recipient.
Finding Community and Success After JMU
April 28, 2025: JMU English alum Ryan McLaughlin (‘11) shares how studying literature, building community, and staying flexible led him from the classroom to a successful career in healthcare management.
JMU English Alumna Kirsten Barron ('87) on Law, Literature, and Career Success
February 21, 2025: Kirsten Barron ('87), now a partner at Barron, Quinn, Blackwood, reflects on how her JMU English degree shaped her path to law school and beyond.
How an English Degree Paved the Way for FBI Agent Tim Lynch ('99)
February 13, 2025: Tim Lynch, 1999 English graduate, has served as an FBI agent for 21 years. English intern, Drake Miller, interviewed Lynch about his outlook on the English major and his time at JMU.
ENG 415 students create handmade manuscripts in project-based learning experience
December 10, 2024: Professor Mark Rankin’s students utilize aspects of medieval scribal culture.
English Student Set to Attend UVA's Public Policy Graduate Program
May 3, 2024: Evan Weaver, English major, is set to graduate this May and attend the University of Virginia's Public Policy Master's program in August.
From Literature to Legislation
April 3, 2024: Eleni Kavros DeGraw, 1997 English graduate, is now the state representative for the 17th District of Connecticut.
Navigating paths: A double Duke's journey from JMU English to assistant editor
February 26, 2024: Mattie Montgomery (’18, ’22M) shares insights into her transformative experiences, highlighting impactful classes and professors that shaped her perspective.
Children's author and presenter combines passion for writing and love of animals
February 19, 2024: Ginjer L. Clarke (’94) loves to learn new things and translate that knowledge into fun, fact-filled children’s books.