Whether you live in the area or will be traveling to Fort Collins for the weekend, we would love for you to join us in our homecoming festivities on October 16th. Come help us celebrate our return to the new and renovated Eddy! Drop by our open house between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on the third floor of Eddy Hall, where there will be a band, tours of the new building, refreshments in the Whitaker Conference Room, and a special presentation at 3 p.m. Please RSVP to Louann.Reid@colostate.edu so we can be sure to have enough refreshments on hand.

In the days leading up to the English department’s “Homecoming Celebration” (October 16th from 2-4pm),we will be highlighting some special memories from our alumni. Here are some special memories from alumni Audrey Taylor (Class of 2007) and Danni Gugel (Class of 2010):

Audrey Taylor (Class of 2007):

Undergraduate was sometimes a difficult time for me, but the English Department was absolutely phenomenal and will always hold a special place in my heart. I look back on all of my English courses fondly, but Professor SueEllen Campbell’s environmental literature courses, and Professor Pam Coke’s adolescent literature course still have an impact on my life almost 10 years after I took them. I am truly grateful for their, and other Professor’s, stringent teaching and encouragement. It was thanks to them, and all the other wonderful instructors that I went on to get an MA from Swansea University in Wales, and a PhD in English Literature from Anglia Ruskin University in England, both challenges that my time with CSU helped me to conquer!

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Audrey Taylor, Class of 2007

Danni Gugel (Class of 2010): 

In my time at CSU, the most memorable times I had was during Pam Coke’s English Education courses and NCTE meetings. I gained a group of fellow English teachers as friends that I am still in contact with as support with work or teaching life.  We learned so many useful methods and gained resources such as Nancy Atwell’s Lessons for Writers, which I use in my middle school writer’s workshop now! I even met her at the NCTE conference last year and mentioned how my college professor showed me the “Atwell” way.

Overall, I felt so supported by all my professors and advisors during my time as an undergrad. CSU truly was an amazing experience, I only wish I could be there more often!


To read more memories from our alumni in honor of Homecoming, you can find the whole series here. If you would like to share your own memory from your time with the CSU English department, please send a description of your favorite memory and an accompanying photo to Joelle Paulson at jpaulso2@gmail.com. We’d love to hear what you remember!