Students
& Graduates
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Heath Gibson, Class of 2008, Atlanta, Ga.
"I chose Hollins because I wanted to be a part of a program that took the study and writing of children’s literature as seriously as I do. I wanted a graduate program that would stretch me further than I was capable or willing to stretch myself. And I have not been disappointed. The environment is perfect – challenging, supportive, creative. Hollins’ children’s literature program has allowed me to grow creatively, academically, and professionally. Unfortunately, there are some great things about Hollins that can’t be put into words. They have to be experienced. I am just glad I have been one of lucky ones to attend. I will be sad, in some way, to finish. But I know my time at Hollins will allow me to be a lifelong creator of children’s literature and advocate for the genre."
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Hillary Homzie,
M.A. '98, Napa, Calif.
Author of Two Heads Are Better than One and Who
Let the Dogs Out?
 "Hollins
is where I was given the freedom to read, write and call
myself a writer. It’s where I’ve found some of
my best friends -- writers and scholars who support me
in my career and inspire me to always reach higher.
"My professors at Hollins engaged me completely. It
wasn’t all about I’m a brilliant professor hear
me roar; it was what do you think? And they honestly seemed
to want to know -- which made me want to know.
"For me Hollins was a sanctuary, where I could experiment
with words and ideas in a non-competitive, nurturing environment.
"With small class sizes, and an outrageously supportive
faculty, I felt as if I had discovered my own personal
Oz. Hollins is real and magical because the faculty and
students make it so." |
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Amie Rose Rotruck, M.A. '05, Germantown, Md.
"I completed the M.A. in Children's Literature in 2005, with a middle-grade fantasy novel as my thesis. I enjoyed my studies at Hollins so much that I decided to continue my studies in the MFA program. I will finish my on-campus classes in 2007 and hope to finish my M.F.A. thesis by 2009. I have tried to take full advantage of everything Hollins has to offer, from two study-abroad trips in the UK to participating in the Francelia Butler Conference each year.
"I came to Hollins to perfect my fiction writing craft and found that, in addition to writing for children, I also really enjoy children's literature scholarship and storytelling. Hollins is so much more than classes about children's literature. It is a truly unique opportunity to spend six weeks with some of the best scholars and writers in the field; some of whom are professors, others are fellow students. I will be very sad when my time at Hollins ends, but plan to use what I learned there to contribute to the world of children's literature as both a fiction writer and scholar."
PHOTO: Amie Rose Rotruck (with puppet she made). She
won the Shirley Henn Award for Critical Scholarship at
the Francelia Butler Conference.
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Karen Van Fossan, M.A. '97, Chicago, Ill.
"I love the Children’s Literature Program
at Hollins! I feel such gratitude toward the faculty, director,
and other students for encouraging me to do rigorous scholarship
in a context of collaboration and support. Two years after
graduation, I still feel the integrity and significance
of the program. I found mentors at Hollins who continue
to support me, as I make my own contributions to the field.
I learned ways of reading and writing children’s literature
that inspire me today. I also met colleagues who I still
consider friends. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t
change a thing. Thank you, Hollins!"
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Reito Adachi and his family |
Reito Adachi, M.A. '04, assistant professor of English and literature at Kurashiki City College, Japan
"A lot of great books written by American authors
are read by my Japanese students too. Hollins University
is the only school to which I [applied] because your
institute has a good reputation of having remarkable
teachers and an excellently flexible summer program."
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