The Montana State University Billings Department of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages, in partnership with Writer’s Voice and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at MSU Billings, will sponsor the Sue Hart Memorial Reading and Lecture Series this fall.
The series kicks off September 19 with former Idaho Writer in Residence, CMarie Fuhrman. The initial reading will be followed by a poetry reading from Tippet Rise residency award winner Roisin Kelly on October 3; Shakespearean scholar Gretchen Minton, Ph.D., on October 16, who will present a lecture entitled “Shakespeare’s Last Best Place;” and award-winning novelist and MSUB faculty member Leigh Ann Ruggiero on October 25. The series aims to connect students and the public with writers who share their work and process.
“There is a long tradition of visiting writers and scholars who inspire students with both instruction and conversation,” said Tami Haaland, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and professor of creative writing.
The reading series is named for Sue Hart, who was a member of the MSU Billings community for 50 years. Hart was a veteran journalist and well-respected in the literary community throughout the state and beyond, and recipient of the Montana Governor’s Humanities Award. As a supporter of the local writers and much loved in the community at large, the Department of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages has chosen to honor Sue Hart by naming this series after her. The Sue Hart Memorial Reading and Lecture Series is sponsored by Montana State University Billings Department of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages; the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; the Susan Webster Fund; and Writer’s Voice with special thanks to Tippet Rise for sponsoring Roisin Kelly’s reading.
All readings are open to the public and will take place on the campus of MSUB in the Liberal Arts Building, Room 205, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This House of Books will be on-site offering books for sale by the visiting writers.
