January 27 - February 3, 2023 | Department of English

Hours

The English Advising Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Appointments

You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Lacey using this link: https://unlincoln.force.com/SSH/0058W00000BUU9I.

Walk-in Hours

No appointment necessary

Zoom drop-in hours are Wednesdays from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm and Fridays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

To join, follow this link or copy & paste into your browser: https://unl.zoom.us/my/casadvising

Connect with us

Twitter: @unlenglish

Facebook: unlenglish

Facebook: unlenglishadvising

Reminders

Mon, Jan 30: Last day to add classes to fall schedule; last day to drop a full semester course and receive a full refund.

Fri, Feb 3: Last day to drop a full semester course and receive a 75% refund.

Sat, Feb 4 thru Fri, Apr 21: All course withdrawals noted with grade of “W” on academic record.

Fri, Feb 10: Last day to withdraw from a full semester course and receive a 50% refund.

Fri, Feb 17: Last day to withdraw from a full semester course and receive a 25% refund.

Alumni in the News

Faculty in the News

Henson receives National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship

Department of English Announcements and Events

Book Launch: Joy Castro’s ONE BRILLIANT FLAME

University Announcements and Events

Literary News

Film News

Alumni in the News

Alumni Spotlight: DeMisty D. Bellinger

By Anne Nagel | January 24, 2023

https://www.unl.edu/english/news/alumni-spotlight-demisty-d-bellinger

Alumni Spotlight: Ashanka Kumari

By Anne Nagel | January 24, 2023

https://www.unl.edu/english/news/alumni-spotlight-ashanka-kumari

Faculty in the News

Henson receives National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship

By Erin Chambers | January 10, 2023

https://www.unl.edu/english/news/henson-receives-national-endowment-arts-fellowship

Department of English Announcements and Events

Book Launch: Joy Castro’s ONE BRILLIANT FLAME

Date: Feb. 10, 2023
Time: 5:30 pm–7:00 pm
Francie & Finch Bookshop
130 S 13th St
Lincoln NE 68508

ABOUT THE BOOK

Key West, 1886. The booming cigar industry makes it the most prosperous city in Florida. As a rebel base for the anticolonial insurgency in Cuba, it’s also a tinderbox for six young friends with ambitious dreams.

They all brim with secrets: Zenaida, the daughter of an assassinated Havana journalist; power-hungry Sofia, who plots a fast track to success; Chaveta, Zenaida’s loyal comrade in arms who fearlessly flouts tradition; Feliciano, a charismatic Galician anarchist; Líbano, the cafetero, silent and watchful; and Maceo, a daring guerrilla soldier who fights a brutal undertow. As lives intertwine, revolution smolders, and passions ignite, the bustling coral island is set to explode.

Against the backdrop of the Great Fire of Key West, One Brilliant Flame explores the luminous fates of consuming passion and encroaching peril in the face of insurrection, sacrifice, and inextinguishable hope.

“Suspenseful and steeped in history, Joy Castro’s One Brilliant Flame transports readers to a vibrant nineteenth-century Key West, one stoked by revolution in Cuba and inflamed by the passions of striking young characters. Castro’s novel beautifully illuminates a largely forgotten history in a memorable and compelling light. I learned so much, but more importantly, I couldn’t put it down.” —Chantel Acevedo, author of The Distant Marvels

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joy Castro is the award-winning author of Flight Risk, a finalist for a 2022 International Thriller Award; the post-Katrina New Orleans literary thrillers Hell or High Water, which received the Nebraska Book Award, and Nearer Home, which have been published in France by Gallimard’s historic Série Noire; the story collection How Winter Began; the memoir The Truth Book; and the essay collection Island of Bones, which received the International Latino Book Award. She is also editor of the craft anthology Family Trouble: Memoirists on the Hazards and Rewards of Revealing Family and the founding series editor of Machete, a series in innovative literary nonfiction at The Ohio State University Press. She served as the guest judge of CRAFT‘s first Creative Nonfiction Award, and her work has appeared in venues including Ploughshares, The Brooklyn Rail, Senses of Cinema, Salon, Gulf Coast, Brevity, Afro-Hispanic Review, Seneca Review, Los Angeles Review of Books, and The New York Times Magazine. A former Writer-in-Residence at Vanderbilt University, she is currently the Willa Cather Professor of English and Ethnic Studies (Latinx Studies) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she directs the Institute for Ethnic Studies.

Book Launch: Joy Castro’s ONE BRILLIANT FLAME

University Announcements and Events

Poster Sale

Date: Jan. 30-Feb 3, 2023
Time: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Nebraska Union: The Crib

Browse, enjoy, and purchase from hundreds and hundreds of different prints to decorate your residence hall room, apartment, chapter house, or office. Choose from a wide selection of smash-hit classic posters of famous art and images to fresh-off-the-press artist prints, and so much more.

Studies have shown that a vibrant living space and the use of sensory images can positively impact learning and well-being. This annual Poster Sale provides an easy on-campus opportunity to purchase art and other media to liven up your living space and express your individual self in a creative and easy way.

Poster purchases can be made with cash, credit cards, and NCard.

This five-day sale is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Jan 30–Feb 3 in the Nebraska Union’s The Crib

Follow @upcnebraska on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Lavender Closet Pop-Up

Date: Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2023
Time: 10:00 am–2:00 pm
Knoll: Pavilion

Acquire free identity-affirming clothing and accessories for casual daily wear or to build a professional wardrobe you can use for job interviews, internships, and workplaces.

A variety of clothing styles and sizes are available. All items are donated and in gently-used condition.

A private room is available on-site to try on items.

This 3-day event is January 31 and February 1 & 2, 2023.

UNABLE TO ATTEND?
Lavender Closet is open Monday-Friday in its permanent location on the Nebraska Union’s 3rd floor. View additional details: https://lgbtqa.unl.edu/lavender-closet

Winter Blood Drive

Donors on college and high school campuses account for 20% of the total U.S. blood supply. That’s a lot of lifesaving - and Huskers can be part of it. The need for blood donations is at a HIGH LEVEL.

Schedule an appointment online https://redcrossblood.org to make an on-campus blood donation Jan. 31 – Feb. 2 at the Harper Dining Hall Conference Room (1140 N. 14th Street). Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Walk-in donors are welcome too if time allows. All donors must be 16 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health.

BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT, remember to:
o Eat
o Drink lots of water
o Get a good sleep on the prior night
o Fill out your RapidPass: rcblood.org/2ClcFbj

Spring Club Fair

Date: Jan. 31, 2023
Time: 11:00 am–1:00 pm
Nebraska Union: Centennial Room

In a single location, explore 80 recognized student organizations (RSOs) to join for social, professional and leadership interests. RSO members and officers will be on hand to provide details about their organization and answer questions from prospective new members.

This event is free and casual in nature.

All Huskers are encouraged to get involved in at least two organizations during their college years: one associated with academics and one associated with an interest. Joining an organization is an easy way to meet new people, learn a new hobby or interest, or pursue something for which you are passionate.

Unable to attend Club Fair? Connect with each of the more than 500 RSOs at: https://go.unl.edu/n-clubs

Racial Literacy Roundtable

Date: Feb. 1, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm–7:30 pm
Online via Zoom

Racial Literacy Roundtables are designed to help students and pre-service teachers develop their racial literacy skills. Discussions focus on relevant topics regarding race and racism in education.

All Roundtables are held virtually from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Event dates are as follows:

September 14, 2022
October 12, 2022
November 9, 2022
February 1, 2023
March 1, 2023
April 19, 2023

Registration is required to participate in any Roundtable event.

https://cehs.unl.edu/racial-literacy-roundtables/

Q&A with TikTok star Brittany Broski

Date: Feb. 2, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm–8:30 pm
Nebraska Union: Centennial Room

In August 2019, Brittany Broski swiftly (and quite accidentally) rose to fame when a video of the then-22-year-old became a viral sensation when it was turned into a popular meme and worldwide hit. Even if you don’t know her by name, you have probably seen the meme and are aware of her distaste for kombucha.

Brittany’s rise to fame has truly captured the new influencer frontiers of TikTok, with nearly 8 million followers across her TikTok accounts.

She is currently one of the most viral people on the internet, in huge part to her wit and charm. Her social platforms continue to grow exponentially as more fans get hooked on her hilarious and relatable content. Explore her videos: https://www.youtube.com/@Brittany_Broski

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On this one special night, Brittany is appearing in person before a limited audience at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. During the one-hour engagement, she will answer questions about:

• her work as a TikTok, YouTube, and podcast star;
• the rise to fame and its impact on her life; and
• her insights about the social media industry and its future.

An audience Q&A will follow.

This event is FREE and open to UNL students only with Event Pass.

ARRIVE EARLY – only 600 seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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MORE ABOUT BRITTANY BROSKI
At the top of 2022, Brittany launched her own podcast along with frequent collaborator and roommate, Sarah Schauer titled, “Violating Community Guidelines.” The podcast debuted in the overall Top 10 on Spotify and at #3 on iTunes for comedy shows.

In line with Brittany’s brand the podcast explores all corners of the wild and wacky web. Each week listeners follow Brittany and Sarah as they explore the shadow banned, taboo, or downright weird content you won’t see on your For You Page. Prior to the podcast, Brittany and Sarah hosted two successful sold-out virtual comedy shows on Looped Live in 2021.

Brittany hosted TikTok’s first original podcast, “For You Podcast,” a weekly interview show featuring some of the most successful and innovative creators on TikTok including Chelsea Handler, Bill Nye the Science Guy and Madison Beer. Covering a range of topics, from the beginning of a creators’ journey to their favorite filming locations, the podcast explored what it is truly like to be a viral creator.

Brittany was named an ICON on TikTok’s 2021 Discover List highlighting TikTok stars who are changing the game in their respective lanes, and beyond.

Her resume includes Paper Magazine’s TikToker of the year; a Super Bowl commercial appearance; content creation for Comedy Central and MTV; and a 2020 Streamy Award nomination.

Descendants of DeWitty: The Audacious Nebraska Saga

Date: Feb. 3, 2023
Time: 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Nebraska East Union: Loft Gallery (on 3rd floor)

Celebrate Black history in Nebraska with a documentary film screening and photography exhibit, featuring the works of Artes Johnson.

The 20 images in the exhibit highlight the daily life of Black settlers in the village of DeWitty in Cherry County. Located in Nebraska’s Sandhills region, DeWitty was Nebraska’s “largest and most permanent colony” of African American homesteaders, existing from 1907 until about 1936.

Read more about DeWitty: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeWitty,_Nebraska

At 4:15 p.m. Johnson will screen his 30-minute documentary film DESCENDANTS OF DEWITTY: THE AUDACIOUS NEBRASKA SAGA and host a Q&A session about Black homesteaders in Nebraska.

A reception with light refreshments will follow the presentation.

UNABLE TO ATTEND THIS EVENT?
The photograph exhibition remains on display in the Nebraska East Union’s Loft Gallery (3rd floor) until Feb. 28, 2023.

Descendants of DeWitty: The Audacious Nebraska Saga

First Friday at Sheldon Museum of Art

Date: Feb. 3, 2023
Time: 4:00 pm–7:00 pm
Sheldon Museum of Art

Start your weekend off with First Friday at Sheldon. Explore our new spring semester exhibitions and make some easy origami creations inspired by the ninety-five photographs of landscapes featured in “From Here to the Horizon.”

The museum is open until 7 p.m. Admission is free.

https://sheldonartmuseum.org/

First Friday at the Great Plains Art Museum

Date: Feb. 3, 2023
Time: 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Great Plains Art Museum
1155 Q St.
Lincoln NE 68508

The Great Plains Art Museum will host a First Friday pop up art and photo exhibition created by BlackisBeautifulNE (BIBNE) celebrating Black History Month and Black artists from Nebraska. The BIBNE non-profit was created in 2021 to show positive representation of Black beauty, culture, and to give back to the community through the creation of annual scholarships.

The art will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds donated to BIBNE. There will also be a raffle for prizes/gift cards from Black owned businesses. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to fund annual scholarships and additional community projects.

Artists include:
Jevon Woods
Josh Redwine
Jelani Billie-Soto
Mohamed Komi
Farrakhan Muhammed
Samuel Mfinanga
Mikayah Worthon
Michelle Reese
Brandy McWilliams
X Ree

Also on display:
“Water in a Dry Land”
January 24–July 8, 2023

“Water in a Dry Land” considers our complex relationship with water and the many essential roles it plays in the Great Plains region. Utilizing artwork from the museum’s permanent collection, this exhibition features various cultural and artistic perspectives on the use of water, explores water management and agricultural practices, and addresses the effects of precipitation, drought, and flooding on the land.

Lower-level gallery:
In “Field Guide to a Hybrid Landscape,” Dana Fritz’s photographs show the forces that shaped the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands, once the world’s largest hand-planted forest. Wind, water, planting, thinning, burning, decomposing, and sowing all contribute to the environmental history of this conifer forest overlaid onto a semi-arid grassland in an effort to create a timber industry and change the local climate.

Fritz is Hixson-Lied Professor of Art at UNL. She uses photography to investigate the ways we shape and represent the natural world in cultivated and constructed landscapes. She is the author of “Terraria Gigantica: The World under Glass” (University of New Mexico Press, 2017) and “Field Guide to a Hybrid Landscape” (University of Nebraska Press in January 2023).

https://www.eventcreate.com/e/bibne-blackhistorymonth

“What’s So Great about the Great Plains?”: a Paul A. Olson Lecture

Date: Feb. 7, 2023
Time: 5:30 pm–6:30 pm
Center for Great Plains Studies
1155 Q St.
Lincoln NE 68588

The Great Plains is a region that is difficult to define and often overlooked and misunderstood.

Historian Andrew Graybill traces one early effort to give the Great Plains its due. In his most important book, “The Great Plains” (1931), leading western historian Walter Prescott Webb (1888-1963) emphasized the significance of the environment as a historical actor in its own right. Yet the book is marred by several shortcomings, among them Webb’s wincing racism. In his talk highlighting the new 2022 edition of the book (University of Nebraska Press), Graybill explores the book’s considerable limitations while arguing for its enduring vitality.

Graybill is a professor of history and director of the William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He is the author or editor of four books, including “The Red and the White: A Family Saga of the American West” (Liveright, 2013). He taught at UNL from 2003-11 and is an Affiliate Fellow of the Center for Great Plains Studies.

This event is part of the Center for Great Plains Studies’ Paul A. Olson lecture series and is free and open to the public. This lecture is supported by UNL History Department, the University of Nebraska Press and the UNL Faculty Senate Convocations Committee.

https://www.unl.edu/plains/great-plains-great-ideas-paul-olson-seminars

LGBTQA+ Center 15th Anniversary

Date: Feb. 8, 2023
Time: 4:30 pm–6:30 pm
Wick Alumni Center
1520 R St.

Celebrate 15 years of the LGBTQA+ Center providing essential services to our students and the campus community through a focus on Gender, Sexuality and Social Justice.

Big Red Pawp Up

Date: Feb. 9, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm–1:30 pm
Love Library South, Room 221 (Peterson Room)

Get ready to cuddle and shake paws with some furry friends between classes and studying. De-stress and unwind with certified therapy dogs in the library!

Stuff A Plush

Date: Feb. 10, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm–3:00 pm
Nebraska Union: The Crib

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Bring your friends and relax at this DIY afternoon activity. Create a 16-inch stuffed creature w/ a custom UPC Nebraska t-shirt - to keep for yourself or give as a gift.

Only 400 kits are available while supplies last. Limit one per student.

FREE for UNL students with Event Pass.

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Unable to attend this afternoon event? Check out the PLUSHES & CRUSHES at 7 p.m. in the Nebraska East Union on the same day: https://events.unl.edu/2023/02/10/169154/

Plushes & Crushes

Date: Feb. 10, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm
Nebraska East Union: Great Plains Room

Warm up with hot chocolate while creating DIY Valentine’s Day gifts at a floral bouquet bar and crafting stations to build stuffed animals and heart pillows.

A limited number of kits are available while supplies last.

FREE for UNL students with Event Pass.

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Unable to attend this evening event? Check out the afternoon event STUFF A PLUSH at 12 p.m. in the Nebraska Union on the same day: https://events.unl.edu/SLICE/2023/02/10/169371/