Tag: Literature
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UDM’s New Black Box Theatre Hosts Its First Poetry Reading with Michigan Poet Laureate Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd
On Saturday, September 27th, the University of Detroit Mercy’s newly opened Black Box Theatre hosted its first poetry reading with Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd. A writer and academic, Dr. Boyd is Michigan’s third poet laureate and currently holds the position of Distinguished Professor of African American Studies at Wayne State University. She has authored a…
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Painting with Words: Ekphrastic Poems by Detroit Mercy Student Writers
At this year’s Celebration of Scholarly Achievement and Community Engagement (CSACE), held on April 3rd 2025, University of Detroit Mercy students gathered for a reading of original ekphrastic poetry—poetry that describes, or otherwise responds to, visual art. This panel reading consisted of eight student writers—Jannath Aurfan, Maria Bitar, Emma Boucher, Alexander Comer, Asha George, Michelle…
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Layers of Narrative: Lambda Literary award-winning author K-Ming Chang visits the University of Detroit Mercy
As part of the University of Detroit Mercy’s Triptych virtual visiting author series, I had the privilege of attending K-Ming Chang’s reading—an electrifying journey through her surreal, poetic storytelling. Hosted by Dr. Stacy Gnall, Detroit Mercy’s poet-in-residence, the event immersed the audience in Chang’s world, where identity, family, and the uncanny intertwine in haunting and…
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Pulitzer Prize-winning Poet Brandon Som Visits Detroit Mercy as part of Triptych Visiting Author Series
On Thursday, January 16th, Pulitzer Prize winner Brandon Som spoke with UDM students via Zoom after reading from his book Tripas, a collection of poems largely dedicated to Som’s maternal grandmother. In Tripas, Som uses images of circuitry to describe the long hours his grandmother spent on the factory line. The cover of the book…
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Duality in Being: A Review of Farnaz Fatemi’s Triptych Reading
by Olivia Vitale (‘24) As both the school year and my time here at the university come to a close, I am grateful to have been able to attend the final event in the 2024 Triptych virtual author series. I found myself captivated by the work that Fatemi shared with those in attendance at the…
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Great Reads by Native American Authors
Pulitzer Prize-winning and Native American novelist, N. Scott Momaday’s recent passing (on January 24, 2024), inspired us to compile a list of our favorite books composed by Native American authors. We hope you’ll enjoy exploring our recommendations and maybe you’ll even find a new favorite read. Leave your own recommendations in the comments!
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Inspired by Myth: A Review of Donika Kelly’s Triptych Virtual Visiting Author Series Event
by Kristin Murphy (’23) I am beyond grateful to know that a space exists where my mind can be captivated and relaxed at the same time. This space is Triptych, the University of Detroit Mercy’s virtual visiting author series. The Triptych series began when I was a senior at Detroit Mercy, but it has remained…
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Painted into the Picture: A Review of Tracy K. Smith’s Wade in the Water
by Deja Spruill (‘24) Slavery is not only extremely relevant to the foundations of American history, but it is also extremely relevant to the social and political structures we see today. The treatment of enslaved African Americans has left so much blood on America’s hands, that it’s dripped into future generations. In Wade in the…
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So, You Missed Triptych with Srikanth Reddy…
by Ronan Mansilla (’26) …and I regret to inform you that you missed out on a wonderful evening of poetry and wisdom from the brilliant and multi-faceted Srikanth (“Chicu”) Reddy. Over the course of the hour, the esteemed poet/editor/critic read from his three books of poetry and eloquently answered audience questions. Devastated that you missed…
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Summer Reading Recs from Detroit Mercy English
Each summer, the Detroit Mercy English Department offers reading recommendations for the season of rest and relaxation. We hope you find time to curl up, stretch out, and read a whole stack of good books. Leave your own recs in the comments! Layli Long Soldier’s WHEREAS Stephen Pasqualina, Assistant Professor “An equal parts experimental and…
Between the Pages 