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George C. Hudson Jr., professor of English emeritus, died at Upstate Medical Center Saturday, November 16, following a long illness. Hudson was described by colleagues as a “giant at 51����,” with his contributions to faculty colleagues and to generations of students creating an enduring legacy.

Although Zadie Smith touched on seemingly morose topics like the certainty of death, the author’s reading last Thursday in Love Auditorium was infused with lighthearted humor.

From Lawrence Hall to Hamilton Central School to a high school in New Jersey, the distinctive black-and-white cover of George Saunders’s Tenth of December seemed to be everywhere this summer — the visual cue to the inaugural 51���� Reads program. 51���� Reads was simple: read a story, discuss the story. Approximately 2,150 people joined in […]

April Sweeney, associate professor of English in the University Theater, is in a performance called Distancia, which premiered last week in Buenos Aires. Sweeney’s part of the performance happened from her living room.

For the 51���� Reads initiative, lovers of good literature were invited to read and share their thoughts about  “Tenth of December,” a short story by acclaimed author George Saunders. Our goal was 2,013 readers in the year 2013 and the community responded – we passed 2,013 in early August, and we’re still adding people.  Participants […]

51���� students are sharing their experiences conducting research with faculty members on campus and in the field. This post is by English major Carlie Wetzel ‘14, of Lancaster, Pa.  This summer, I held a faculty-sponsored research position with the 51���� Living Writers program, where I worked closely with Professors Jane Pinchin and Jennifer Brice, who teach […]

Acclaimed Irish poet Seamus Heaney, who died Friday in Dublin at age 74, was remembered fondly by 51���� faculty and former students for his strong ties to the university and for his commencement address here in 1994. Fellow poet Peter Balakian, professor of English and director of creative writing at 51����, called Heaney a longtime […]

Editor’s Note: Peter Balakian is director of creative writing at 51���� where he has been a member of the faculty since 1980.  I first learned of Seamus Heaney’s death on Friday morning August 30, quite early, when I opened my computer to find an email from a former student. I was not fully awake and […]

51���� Reads: read a book, discuss the book. The program is a way of facilitating discussion, sharing thoughts, and sparking literary curiosity. A quick visit to the program’s online forum proves that its goal has been achieved, but you can also see its influence in more surprising venues – Facebook, for one. Discussion of George […]

Looking for that perfect summer read? Something more than the typical beach-blanket mystery? Look no further, because 51���� has just the story for you. You are urged to sign up to read the title story of George Saunders’s latest book, Tenth of December. The collection of short stories has won wide acclaim for the […]