Profiles
Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina
Professor of English, former dean of the Commonwealth Honors College, and Paul Murray Kendall Chair in Biography at UMass Amherst, Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina is a prolific author and media host. She has written or edited nine books. From 1997 to 2012 she hosted the nationally-syndicated public radio program "The Book Show," and interviewed guests like Toni Morrison, Julian Barnes, Kazuo Ishiguro, A.S. Byatt, Salman Rushdie, Tracy Chevalier, Maya Angelou, and Philip Roth. In 2020, she has experienced heightened interest in her work as writer specializing in Black British Studies.
Miguel Paredes '17
A theater maker, actor, and director with a rapping alter ego, Miguel Angel Paredes '17 is a creative force. He talks about his unlikely path to the theater, political expression in art, the UMass Multicultural Theater Certificate, and being chosen as one of ten 21st Century Leaders who will be honored at the 2017 Commencement.
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Christian Appy
Professor Christian Appy is a historian with a focus on the Vietnam War and Modern United States History. He discusses his research, his collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Press, and teaching war in the classroom. Professor Appy is a speaker in the 2017 Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series and recipient of the Chancellor's Medal, the highest honor bestowed on individuals for exemplary and extraordinary service to the campus.
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Miliann Kang
Miliann Kang serves as both an associate professor of Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies and the Director of Diversity Advancement for the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Discussing her approach to research and her work in the classroom, Professor Kang explains how her Midwestern upbringing, sociological background, and experience at other U.S. colleges and universities all inform her current practices.
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Symone Green '19
Symone Green is widely involved across campus. From participating in the Five College PoetryFest to community-based learning in HFA classes, Symone finds herself creatively and socially engaged daily. She discusses her experiences as an English major, an ESL instructor, a poet and songwriter, her involvement on the UMass campus, and her excitement for both the present and future.
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Keith Barnicle '02
Keith Barnicle is District Representative for the 2nd Congressional District in Massachusetts and aide to Congressman Jim McGovern. He was also an English major at UMass Amherst.
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Katy Geraghty '16
Tackling television, the stage, and soundtracks, Katy Geraghty ‘16 had quite the transition into her post-graduation lifestyle. An active member of UMass Amherst theater communities, Geraghty was known for her talent and drive. It didn’t take long for her to land a role in the original Broadway cast of "Groundhog Day"; in fact, she only had her diploma for two days! Taking time from her hectic schedule, she caught up with HFA in New York City to discuss her new and exciting experiences on Broadway.
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