During the 2021 fall semester, Waynesburg University started holding an event where students and faculty have the opportunity to read pieces of literature that they have written to other writers.

The event was created by Dr. Bob Randolph, professor of English, and Dr. Richard Pierce, associate professor of English, with the goal of building a community of writers.  “It allows students to see us as writers and not just professors,” Pierce said.

Along with building a community, they also want the event to be a way for writers to improve their skills. “It helps students become better readers and presenters,” Randolph said. 

They hope it is considered a “no pressure” event since there are no grades attached to the work or presentations.

“Willingness to share is an energy of its own kind… someone can bring something that knocks socks off that wouldn’t happen in a classroom.”

Dr. Bob Randolph, professor of English

“Willingness to share is an energy of its own kind,” Randolph said. “Someone can bring something that knocks socks off that wouldn’t happen in a classroom”

When asked to participate in the first reading of the semester, Felicia Duffy, a freshman creative writing major, said she went in with curiosity.

“It was my first time cause I am a freshman. I think a lot of people didn’t know it existed,” Duffy said. “Some people read something that they wrote this week, and others read work from a few years ago, which was me because I did not know it existed until the day before.”

The readers have eight to 10 minutes to read what they have brought and receive feedback.

“It’s for criticism or you read something and people say hey that was pretty good, I really liked that idea,” Duffy said. “It’s basically an open mic so you stand up, read, sit back down and then you listen to other people read.”

English professional writing major, Jay Komoroski recalls attending the event the last year when it first began and described it as having an “informal” setting. “I hate public speaking and I don’t like reading to people. I usually hide it, but it was nice to hear people be supportive of my writing,” Komoroski said.

The event is open to anyone who wants to take writing seriously and enjoy the company of others who are passionate about writing. The readings take place on the third Thursday of each month and start at 4:00 p.m. in McCance Auditorium.