A Sense of Community
Personal Pursuits
Our alumni find themselves in exciting professional and personal pursuits. They publish and win awards; they become Fulbright Scholars and travel; they research and study in prestigious Ph.D. programs; they find successful work as professors, editors, authors, literary agents, copywriters, and teachers.
In addition to finding success in traditionally “English” paths, our alumni serve as CEOs, create tech start-ups, lead non-profit organizations, become lawyers, devise communication and training for government programs, coordinate medical programing, and rise through the ranks of Fortune 500 companies.
CSU English Department Alumni prove that a BA, MA, or MFA in English opens doors to professions that not only provide material and professional success, but also intellectual satisfaction and cultural engagement.
English Alumni: Beyond CSU
The stories below provide a glimpse of the broad array of exciting and impactful endeavors undertaken by CSU English alumni across the globe. The interdisciplinary scholarship and creative artistry developed by English educations are instrumental in bolstering these important initiatives.
Weathering outbreak abroad: CSU English alum teaches in China during COVID-19 pandemic
As the novel coronavirus sweeps across the globe CSU English alumna Kristen Mullen teaches in China — the site of her 2015 summer teaching program.
Film project brings Emmy-winning English alum back to Fort Collins
CSU English major John Barnhardt (B.A., ’96) used to spend hours talking about movies, shooting film and film careers. Several decades and Emmys later, he returns to use his skills in the Fort Collins community.
Former student Frank says ‘hi’ from New York
Hi guys! My name is Frank. I am from China and studied English with a language concentration at CSU. I graduated in 2019 and I am a graduate student in Applied Linguistics at Columbia University right now. Greetings from NYC! Go Rams!
Connie Johnson Shoemaker (BA English 1956, MA in English 1961) – Willard O. Eddy was my mentor
I graduated with a B.A. in English in 1956 and an M.A. in English in 1961. My philosophy mentor and life coach was Dr. Willard O. Eddy…
Robert King (MA 1961) – Remembering a mentor
I can still name many of the professors at that time but the one I would like to mention was Dr. Aurelia Harlan, a figure both friendly and imposing.
Dianne Harper (Class of 1964) – Diagramming and poetry drills
When I was an undergrad in English education, one of the required courses was a quarter class of diagramming. Does that date me or what?…
Barbara Stimmel Fleming (BA English 1967, MA Rhetoric 1970) – A father and a teacher
My father, Les Stimmel, taught at Colorado A&M/Colorado State University from 1929 when he moved to Fort Collins until 1967…
Doris Goldsmith Melnick (Class of 1968) – Remembering Dr. Robert Zoellner
The memory I will always remember is one of Dr. Robert Zoellner. I took many classes from him as an English major and there must have been one in my senior year…
Paulette Garrison Evans Deutsch (Class of 1967)
I had Dr. Zoellnor for my Survey of American Lit; Melville and another author; and Steinbeck plus others in the four years that I was at CSU…
English Alum? Share Your Story
When stories about our alumni hit the news or our inbox, we love to share them. Teachers, staff, and fellow alumni are excited to learn about how our friends are doing. Current students appreciate examples of English alumni making a life and making a difference. At the same time, information about English offerings and degree opportunities encourages prospective students to engage, and stories of your impact and success illustrate the true value of English education.