Every September, Rutgers English celebrates the beginning of a new semester with a lecture and reception. A faculty member gives a talk presenting recent research, then submits to (good-natured) grilling by colleagues from the Department. This annual event gives professors a chance to be students, and to get a peek at the work of their peers.

This year, we decided to do something a little different. We wanted to see what would happen if we made our usual inaugural lecture into an open public event. And so, faculty and students, alumni and friends gathered at the end of September to hear Professor Carolyn Williams deliver a lecture called “Making Fun of Victorian Poetry: Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience.” With visual images ranging from costume design sketches to satirical cartoons, music clips from the Gilbert and Sullivan opera, and a dramatic poetry interlude performed by Professor Elin Diamond, Professor Williams inaugurated a fun new tradition: a multimedia presentation that was as entertaining as it was informative. After a bit of token grilling during the question and answer period, the audience enjoyed grilled vegetables and other refreshments at the reception.

Judging by the response, this is a new tradition that will continue, so watch for details about next fall’s celebration. Thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a festive occasion!

Local supporting members of Friends of Rutgers English will be informed of the Opening Lecture and other events each year. If you’d like to receive email notification about events, make sure you sign up with us or better yet, become a supporting member.

For current listing of events, check out our Alumni Event Calendar.

And, if you're interested in receiving a dvd of Carolyn William's lecture, contact us at 732-932-7612 or for.english@rutgers.edu.

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Department of English - Murray Hall
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
510 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1167
Phone: 732-932-7612 | E-mail: FOR.English@rutgers.edu