Writing Program

News - National Day on Writing (2009)

October 12, 2009

CONTACT:  Dorian Deome, WSU Writing Program Administrative Intern, heydeome@gmail.com
Diane Kelly-Riley, Co-Director, WSU Writing Program, 509-335-1323, dokelly@wsu.edu 

WSU Students Innovatively Pursue the “Write Way” on Oct. 20

PULLMAN, Wash.—Whether by drafting letters to Washington State University President Elson S. Floyd, emoting cursively on a special wall in the Compton Union Building (CUB), or composing poetry, the WSU Writing Program is encouraging students to—quite literally—put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

It’s the fun and local celebration of the “National Day on Writing,” affirmed by Congress and launched by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

“We’ve dubbed our event ‘Cougs the Write Way,’ and our graduate student administrative interns have organized three events to showcase and celebrate writing,” says Diane Kelly-Riley, co-director of WSU’s nationally renowned Writing Program.

The first event is a writing contest, open from now until 5 p.m. Oct.27*, where students can submit online a “Letter to President Floyd” identifying an issue currently facing the university and their proposed solution.  Three winning letters will be selected by a review committee, and the student authors will be invited to discuss their ideas in person with President Floyd over lunch.  Each letter can contain up to 250 words.  Guidelines are available and should be followed to participate in this event.  *NOTE:  The original deadline, Oct. 20, was extended to Oct. 27.]

Two in-person events will occur on campus on Oct. 20.

A “Free-Writing Wall” will be available from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  that day  in the CUB.  “Students can stop by and express themselves in writing,” says Dorian Deome, English graduate student and Writing Program administrative intern.

At 6 p.m. that evening, “A Poetry Night” in the Holland Library Atrium will feature an open mic where students, faculty, staff, and friends are invited to share poetry they have written, or to read the work of their favorite poet.  Light refreshments will be served.

For more information on “Cougs the Write Way,” visit the writingprogram.wsu.edu Web site. 

Writing Program, Washington State University, PO Box 644530, Pullman WA 99164-4530, 509-335-7959, Contact Us