In the Department of English we're fortunate to have multiple teams of talented students working in our offices: they are often the first faces visitors see, and we couldn't do all we do without their efforts. Our front desk students greet visitors, schedule appointments, respond to inquiries, and generally keep the office running. Our Digital Media Project staff manage a large equipment inventory, provide workshops on specialty software, run 3D print submissions, and troubleshoot tech issues in the DMP's labs and beyond. Our communications team write news and features, update our website, write and design our social media posts, and generally help us tell our stories both within the university and to the public at large.

As we celebrate graduation and the class of 2025, we bid a fond farewell to four of our graduating students who've been such a valuable part of our department. We'll miss them around Denney Hall, but we wish them all the very best as they move on to the next adventure!

Renn Bowen (Digital Media Project)

In their two years working in the DMP, we've learned that Renn is a keeper of secrets. Not in any sort of negative or withholding way, mind you — Renn is, in fact, very open with their thoughts and opinions, often couched in a casually absurd way that makes everyone around them laugh delightedly. Rather, the secrets are talents and interests that aren't immediately evident, but which come out into the open constantly. On their first day, Renn said they weren't "very tech-y," and yet in their time in the DMP they've delivered more software workshops than any other staff member; dived deep into the underlying code of 3D print submissions in an attempt to better understand the technology; become the display whisperer in the notoriously finicky Denney 308 lab; and many more examples than we can include here. And that's not even mentioning their laser focus on process and format, nor their willingness to learn any new topic they're presented with. The DMP has been extraordinarily fortunate to have Renn on our team these past two years, and we will miss them terribly, but we're also excited to see what new talents and abilities they have yet to discover. 

Madina Davlatboyeva (Front Desk)

If you’re looking for a leader who radiates quiet confidence, look to Madina. She took on the role of team lead her senior year, and, in addition to the typical challenges of leadership, Madina faced the added hurdle of training an almost entirely new team of student staff members. She made this look easy, guiding and coaching each new team member through learning the ins and outs of the English front desk. In addition to supporting the other student staff members with day-to-day tasks and questions, Madina made significant improvements to team procedures, revised the team manual, and stepped up communication through platforms like Teams. Madina has become a seasoned expert at the front desk, bringing her trademark determination and kindness to every shift. We’ve been fortunate to have her on our team, and while we’ll miss her, we look forward to seeing the amazing things she will accomplish in the future!

Blaise Reader III (Digital Media Project)

If you've stopped into the DMP any time in the last two years, you've probably chatted with Blaise. Their open friendliness and intellectual curiosity has propelled more conversations than we can count, and their thorough consideration of complex problems has helped untangle many knots, from equipment and database reorgs to a presentation on the Microsoft 365 ecosystem that an attendee declared "the best he'd ever seen, including all the official ones." In addition to their technical and administrative acumen, Blaise has also contributed immeasurably to the mood of the office: they've been a constant grounding presence, always quick to step in and answer a question or help fix a problem. (Even when not on the clock — stop that! but also, thank you.) And if you're a DMP regular you've probably found a new song or two that you like while in the office — there's good odds it's thanks to Blaise's insatiable need for new good music. As they head off to graduation and the next thing, they have many avenues open to them, and we couldn't be more excited to see which ones they speak, or write, or sing about.

Libby Wallace (Front Desk)

In Libby’s year on the front desk team, she’s made a big impression. She was ready to jump in from day one, asking questions for clarity, building relationships with other team members, and deftly navigating the processes and demands of work in the English office. Whether she’s working an opening shift, or closing down at 5 pm, Libby is always on top of things, making sure each email is answered, keeping the front desk tidy, and greeting visitors with a smile. She’s also provided a unique perspective as a department ambassador, talking to prospective students both about her experience as an English major overall and as a transfer student. We’re so proud of Libby, and although we’re sad to see her go, we can’t wait to see all the outstanding work she’ll do in the future!