Congratulations to Cheryl Scott who was awarded a scholarship to the Sixth Annual 2010 Eckerd College Writer's Conference: "Writers in Paradise" held in St Petersburg, FL, January 16-24. Keynote speakers include Anita Shreve (Testimony, The Pilot's Wife, and The Weight of Water), Sheri Reynolds (The Rapture of Canaan), and Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Shutter Island, and The Given Day). The scholarship features an "intensive eight-day experience of intimate workshop classes, roundtables, panel discussions, readings, book signings and cocktail receptions designed for those who are passionate about writing." Faculty and guest speakers also include Denise Duhamel (Ka-Ching!), Beth Ann Fennelly (Tender Hooks), Tom Franklin (Smonk), Ann Hood (Comfort), Michael Koryta (Envy the Night), Laura Lippman (Life Sentences), Peter Meinke (Lines from Neuchatel), Stewart O'Nan (Songs for the Missing), David Hale Smith (DHS Literary) and Sterling Watson (Sweet Dream Baby).

 Congratulations to Lorraine Hale Robinson who received a Treasured Pirate Award for her service as "Chef Extraordinaire" at the annual Eastern North Carolina Literary Homecoming. Each year, she cooks for up to 75 people for the homecoming's "kick-off" dinner for the visiting writers, the event supporters and volunteers, and their guests.

Congratulations to Mellisa Rene Tetterton who has been accepted into Hamline University's MFA (low residency) program beginning in January 2010.

In October, Kirk St.Amant was accepted into ECU's Fall 2009 Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy (EOSA), which provides participants with training in the scholarship of engagement and in service learning practices.  The Academy also helps members research and develop engagement-related research projects for use in different teaching situations.  St.Amant's research project for the Academy focuses on creating globally distributed service-learning activities for students enrolled in ECU's Distance Education classes. The English Department sponsored a child in foster care for the holiday gift drive.  Donations of clothes, books, toys and cash were made by faculty and staff.  The holiday gifts included a Ninetendo DS and games, a wrestling belt, and vlosthes  for 7 year-old boy who wears a 2 1/2 shoe size.