Oregon State University – Cascades will host readings and discussions with three writers in May.
- May 10, 6-8 p.m., Charles McGrath Family Atrium of Edward J. Ray Hall: Award-winning poet, author, columnist and Oregon Poet Laureate, Ellen Waterston will present “Never Say ‘Whoa’ in a Horse Race,” a reflection and discussion on her writing life in Oregon’s high desert. An advocate for the literary arts, Waterston’s poetry and nonfiction have evolved into essential reading about Oregon and the West. Her most recent books are “Walking the High Desert” and “We Could Die Doing This,” a collection of essays on aging and ageism that she has written for the Source Weekly’s “The Third Act” column.
- May 13, 6-8 p.m., Tykeson Hall, room 111: Lori Hellis, a retired family and criminal attorney, and journalist will discuss her crime writing, and bringing clarity and insight to stories that have made national headlines. Her most recent book is “Children of Darkness and Light: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, a Story of Murderous Faith.” She is also the author of “The No-nonsense Guide to Divorce.” Hellis received a Master of Fine Arts in writing from OSU-Cascades in 2017.
- May 14, 6-8 p.m., Charles McGrath Family Atrium of Edward J. Ray Hall: Stacy Gnall will be featured as the MFA program’s Spring 2025 Distinguished Writer. A poet who creates fantastical worlds through her words, Gnall is the author of the poetry collections “Dogged,” which won the Juniper Prize for Poetry from the University of Massachusetts Press, and “Heart First into the Forest.” Her work has appeared in journals, most recently in the Bennington Review and New American Writing. Gnall is the founder of Wordstruck, an online creative writing collective for children and teens. She is currently poet-in-residence at the University of Detroit Mercy.
The events are part of the Master in Fine Arts in Writing program’s twice-annual residencies, where acclaimed and emerging writers work with students and present at public events.
The events are free, but registration is required. To register visit OSUcascades.edu/community. For accommodations for disabilities contact 541-322-3100 or events@osucascades.edu.
About OSU-Cascades: Oregon State University’s campus in Bend brings higher education to Central Oregon, the fastest growing region in the state. Surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, OSU-Cascades is a highly innovative campus of a top-tier land grant research university, offering small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning. Degree programs meet industry and economic needs in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, natural ecosystems, health and wellness, and arts and sciences, and prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. OSU-Cascades is expanding to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students, building a 128-acre campus with net-zero goals.