Georgia author wins 2022 Philip Levine Prize for Poetry

February 3, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Éric Morales-Franceschini in a black hat and shirt in a forest.

The Fresno State Master of Fine Arts Program in creative writing announced Georgia author Éric Morales-Franceschini has won the 2022 Philip Levine Prize for Poetry book contest, which includes a $2,000 award and publication of his debut full-length poetry collection, “Syndrome.”

In Memoriam: Dr. Toni Wein

January 23, 2023.Reading time 14 minutes.

Dr. Toni Wein, a Fresno State professor emerita of English smiles while sitting at her kitchen table.

Dr. Toni Wein, a Fresno State professor emerita of English, passed away on Dec. 17, 2022, after a bout with brain cancer. She was 70.

Three creative writing alumni publish debut books in 2022

January 13, 2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

Aaliyah Green, Pilar Christiana Graham and Navdeep Singh Dhillon

Three alumni authors from Fresno State’s Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing published their debut books in 2022.

In Memoriam: Professor Emerita Toni Wein, Ph.D.

December 19, 2022.Reading time 2 minutes.

Dr. Toni Wein is shown on the right wearing red and black. On the left is a yellow background with white text "In Memoriam" in dark green text "Toni Wein, Ph.D., Professor Emerita.

Toni Wein, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, English Department (2002-2018) was born on April 20, 1952, in Detroit, MI and, after a bout with brain cancer, passed away on December 17, 2022, in Portland, OR.

English symposium traces hope across boundaries

December 1, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

Manuel Muñoz in a blue denim jacket and left hand in his hair. Photo by Manuel Muñoz

Author and Central Valley native Manuel Muñoz will deliver the keynote address for Fresno State’s sixth annual Students of English Studies Association symposium on December 8 and 9. The theme of this year’s symposium is “Transcending Boundaries: Finding Hope in the Now.”

Library careers offer English alumni a collection of opportunities

October 26, 2022.Reading time 24 minutes.

Taylor Petersen posing with a skeleton, smiling.

Dozens of English Department alumni over the years have gone on to develop successful library careers.

LitHop festival includes MFA students and features tribute to Kamilah Okafor

October 10, 2022.Reading time 4 minutes.

At least half of the writers performing at LitHop have connections to Fresno State as students, faculty, or alumni.

Professor Mai Der Vang wins American Book Award

September 9, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry Mai Der Vang stands in front of a green field and a setting sun.

Author Mai Der Vang, an assistant professor of English at Fresno State, won an American Book Award for her documentary poetry collection, “Yellow Rain.”

In Memoriam: Dr. Ray McKnight

August 31, 2022.Reading time 17 minutes.

Ray McKnight - Credit: Michelle Garcia/She Breathes Photography

Dr. H. Ray McKnight, a Fresno State professor emeritus of English, passed away on Aug. 5 in Richmond, California. He was 88.

‘It’s all for the people’; Juan Felipe Herrera Elementary School opens in SE Fresno

August 26, 2022.Reading time 7 minutes.

The entrance of Juan Felipe Herrera Elementary School -- a bright orange roof shelter with a deep blue office.

Located on Church and Willow avenues in Southeast Fresno, the Juan Felipe Herrera Elementary School grounds are visually striking, with a large orange entrance contrasted with the dark blue administrative office and the vivid sky that often graces Fresno in the late summer.