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Elena Georgiou to Step Down as Director of Goddard MFAW-Creative Writing Program

3/10/2021

10 Comments

 
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Elena, you take with you the enormous thanks and great good wishes of everyone at the Clockhouse Writers' Conference:  the Board of Stewards, those who attend the Clockhouse and Lighthouse Writers' Conference & Retreat events, those who work on the CLOCKHOUSE literary journal, the MFAW alumni who serve on Goddard's Alumni Council and attend the Alumni Weekend Residency, and the MFAW alumni who read this from afar.

Here's Elena's letter:

Dear MFAW Community,

After 38 semesters and 66 residencies, the time has come for me to graduate!

I joined the Goddard College MFA in Creative Writing in July of 2002. First as a part- time faculty member, then full-time, then in my current position as director. The 19 years that I’ve worked with the MFAW faculty and students have been the highlight of my professional life. What I’m most proud of, in my time as director, is the supportive community I have made it my mission to nurture. Beyond degrees, publications, and productions, it is this sense of community that our alumni take into the world as writers.
When I was a student (both undergrad and grad), like many of you, I had to hold down a full-time job and go to school in the evening. As an international student, I did not have access to any form of financial aid, and so I lived within a limited budget that did not stretch to owning my own computer. Consequently I would sneak into my empty workplace offices, after hours, to use the computers to write my papers and poems. I envied the students who had their own laptops and could spend their days in libraries, reading and writing. All these years later, with my own computer and my own office, I am leaving the Goddard College MFAW program to give myself what I have always yearned for—to fill my days with reading and writing; to devote my life to my art.
My last day as Director of the MFA in Creative Writing at Goddard College will be Friday, April 2, 2021. But I hope that we will find ways to remain connected to one another as literary citizens and activists—as people who use their imaginations as a force for creating good in the world.
Being a part of our MFAW community—watching students blossom, helping them to realize their literary dreams, being supported by our program’s faculty—has been an honor and a blessing. I thank you for all that you have given me.
I wish for you all the lives that you wish for yourselves.

With appreciation and love, 

~Elena 




10 Comments
John Schimmel
3/10/2021 05:28:24 pm

I know you've been wonderful for the program, Elena. Can't wait to see what you do next.

Reply
Pam Dionne link
3/10/2021 06:18:29 pm

Elena,
I wish you all the best. I feel so fortunate to have gotten my MFAW while you were there as director. Thank you for your intelligence, creative approach, and kindness to all of us who went through the program with you at the helm.

Reply
Nita Sweeney link
3/10/2021 08:57:10 pm

Oh Elana you will be missed. I wish you nothing but joy as you pursue your art wherever that takes you. Thank you for giving Goddard many wonderful years.

Reply
Ann Keeling
3/10/2021 09:41:38 pm

What news! I know you will be so sorely missed. Thank you for being my favorite advisor while I was there. All the best with making more of your wonderful art!

Reply
Elizabeta
3/11/2021 01:33:10 am

Congratulations Elena! I feel so fortunate and grateful to have had you as an advisor and although I know you'll be missed at Goddard, I'm delighted to hear that you're giving yourself a life of and for art, full-time.

Reply
Karen Engelmann link
3/11/2021 10:15:30 am

All best wishes for the abundant and joyful creative life that awaits. Thank you for your centering presence at Goddard.

Reply
Bob Fisher link
3/12/2021 01:04:29 am

Elena - And likewise, may your days be filled with books and the Sunday Times and inspired typing and fruitful conversations with editors, Friends and family.

Reply
Natasha Oliver
3/12/2021 07:49:37 am

You gave me an appreciation for words, Elena, that I carry with me to this day. You have inspired so many, and I am so excited for you and the new journey you’re about to take.

Be safe.

Reply
Laura Schaeffer
3/13/2021 10:52:33 am

Thank you for being my first teacher at Goddard and my forever one. It was your own poems that reached me. The exchange was Ruach, so unlimited. I wish you wide spaces and music.

Laura

Reply
Bergman
3/19/2021 08:23:40 am

Glad to see the end of you. You've hurt me and others there intentionally and will never see our forgiveness.

Reply



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