The Fifth Floor--Spring 2015

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Alumni Interview: Maureen Herward

Pitt alumna Maureen Herward is an inspiration to any aspiring writer looking to work in the corporate writing. Herward found her dream job in public relations working for world-renowned corporations Alcoa and the Boeing Company. More>

Terrance Hayes Talks Teaching, Poetry, and the MacArthur Grant

There is a good chance that you have already heard of the Pittsburgh-based Terrance Hayes. As a recipient of a prestigious 2014 MacArthur “Genius” grant, his eminence has spread from the Pittsburgh circuit into the national arena. More>

Sandy Russo: "Keeper of the Keys"

The Department of English, like Pittsburgh itself, can be unrecognizable to anyone who last visited 10 years ago. New students, new faculty, new staff weave into the fabric; renovations take place; new rules and programs get implemented.

In 1986, Sandy Russo, who retired this year from her position as Department Administrator, joined the English department to serve as secretary for Professors Dave Bartholomae, Colin MacCabe, and Gayatri Spivak. More>

Trusting the Process

For the past 30 years, the Writing in the Disciplines program has shaped the writing requirements for undergraduate academics. The curriculum that emerged out of the 1960s lacked rigid requirements. More>

And Gladly Teche: Michael West's Scholarly Mentorship

Pitt’s English department Literature program offers three major competitions for undergraduate essays on literature. If you have ever taken a look at the winners, you might notice a trend: Many of the essayists were mentored by Professor Michael West. More>

Aspie Seeks Love: Julie Sokolow Premieres Newest Documentary

At 27 years old, Julie Sokolow has accomplished more than some people do in their entire lifetimes. When she was just 19, she self-produced Something about Violins, a lo-fi indie album featuring primarily acoustic guitar and vocals that was recorded using her laptop.. More>

Honoring Marcia Landy: Reflections on a Film Studies Legend

Anyone who knows Marcia Landy knows how worthy of honor she is, and how much she resists recognition and public adoration. Marcia may work on the biopics like Il Divo and larger-than-life stars like Marlene Dietrich, and she will confess to her early aspirations to act, but in the realm of academia, she has no interest in being the star. More>