Pictured at the Writers at Work Seminar at Chattanooga State were:
(left to right) Kacy Wooten, Joan Reeves, Emma Winkels, Caroline Spigner, Tracy Davis, Madison Briner, Ron Rash, Halli Higginbotham, Erica Smith, Matthew Wilbanks, Robert Morgan;
(Back Row left to right) Brent Reeves and Sarah Avans

By Staff Reports

Students in the Southern literature class at Northeast Alabama Community College attended the annual “Writers at Work” seminar sponsored by the Chattanooga State Humanities Department.  The guest writers for this event were Ron Rash and Robert Morgan, both members of the Fellowship of Southern Writers.  The event included interviews with the writers as well as book signings.  In preparation for this event, students in the class read and discussed works by the writers.

English instructor and chair of the English and Fine Arts Division, Joan Reeves, teaches the Southern literature class each spring and to supplement the class arranges for the students to meet some of the authors taught in the class. Ms. Reeves stated, “I always look forward to teaching the Southern literature class.  Being able to not only introduce the students to new pieces of literature but to then make it possible for them to meet the writers is incredibly gratifying.”  The impact of this experience on students is evidenced by a comment made by NACC Student Government president, Caroline Spigner, who noted, “Meeting Robert Morgan and Ron Rash was a surreal experience.  As an aspiring author, hearing the wisdom and advice of these two critically acclaimed authors was an amazing opportunity.  The universality of their Appalachian literature offers unique insight into human nature and character in adversity.  Both Morgan and Rash create characters from whose life experiences we can learn and grow alongside.”

NACC is committed to its literary arts as seen in its annual Arts and Humanities Speaker’s Forum, an event that began in 1994.  This event, envisioned by the college’s President Dr. David Campbell, has hosted such writers as Ron Rash, Tom Franklin, Mary Hood, Silas House, George Singleton, and many others. Additionally, the college’s English honor society, Sigma Kappa Delta sponsors writers’ workshops and writing competitions to contribute to the literary arts at NACC.