This fall marks the beginning of a new era in creative writing at the University of New Mexico — the first semester of the master of fine arts in creative writing. The M.F.A. is the first new degree offered by the Department of English since the doctorate was created 50 years ago.
Several factors came together to garner support for the M.F.A. degree. While the M.F.A. proposal was moving through the state's approval process, renowned Native American poet, musician and artist Joy Harjo expressed an interest in returning to UNM. As well, community member Joseph Russo endowed approximately $1.1 million for the program.
These events strengthened support for the degree proposal, unanimously approved by the New Mexico Department of Higher Education this summer.
Harjo returned to UNM this fall as the Joseph M. Russo Professor of Creative Writing, a new position funded by the Russo endowment. She is the first Native American to hold an endowed chair in the university's history. The New Mexico State Legislature also passed $500,000 in matching funds for the endowment.
“We are thrilled at the return of Joy Harjo to UNM, where she studied and taught in earlier years,” David Richard Jones, chair of the English department, said.
When UNM added a creative writing thesis as an option for the master of English program in the 1950s, it was one of the first universities in the nation to offer a graduate degree with defining work in creative writing. Since then, the M.F.A. has largely supplanted the M.A. as the recognized terminal degree in creative writing. It is preferred by students and rapidly becoming a professional necessity for aspiring teachers of creative writing.
UNM's M.F.A. offers a unique three-pronged approach that incorporates the studio model — the traditional center of writing programs — with literature and pre-professional preparation. Sharon Oard Warner, director of the creative writing program, points out that all three elements are important to students' development as writers and writing professionals.
“The study of literature is critically important,” Warner said. “Otherwise, writers have no foundation for the work they create. But we understand that writers need to eat, too. Internship opportunities will give our students practical experience that will hold them in good stead when they leave the University. We're working all the time to broaden those opportunities .” One recent addition is an editorial assistant internship with UNM Press. Existing assistantships and fellowships also provide students with teaching, publishing or arts administration experience.
Another groundbreaking element of the program is its emphasis in creative nonfiction. “We're the only program in the state that has a nonfiction genre attached to the degree,” Warner said. Of the nine M.F.A. programs in southwest, only the University of Arizona offers a similar emphasis. Through the Department of Theatre and Dance, students can also take play and scriptwriting courses that are unique within the state.
Prominent and award-winning authors associated with UNM as alumni or teachers: Edward Abbey, Paula Gunn Allen, Rudolfo Anaya, Denise Chavez, Sandra Cisneros, Robert Creeley, Gene Frumkin, Joy Harjo, Tony Hillerman, Antonio Mares, N. Scott Momaday, Simon Ortiz, Louis Owens, Leslie Marmon Silko, Patricia Clark Smith and Luci Tapahonso.
Current Faculty: Sharon Oard Warner (Director), Joy Harjo, Lisa D. Chávez, Marisa P. Clark, Gregory Martin, Daniel Mueller, Julie Shigekuni, Diane Thiel and Jack Trujillo.
Faculty and graduate students in the creative writing program are available for interviews. Photographs available on request. Call (505) 277-5813 for more information.
Contact: Sari Krosinsky, (505) 277-5813
Posted by scarr at September 22, 2005 02:42 PM