MFA family gathers for graduation

The past few weekends have capped off (graduation pun intended) an amazing year for the Butler MFA program. There was a moving ceremony at the Efroymson Center where our 16 graduates stepped up to the mic for the final time (as students at least) to share reflections about the MFA experience, the recurrent sentiment being that our community of writers feels like a family, that campus feels like home.

The beauty of this blog is that we’re not solely limited to words. I think the pictures of our graduation events, including the publishing panel and after-party, illuminate what it’s truly like to be a Butler MFA. Photo credit goes out to Gerry Justice, Mallory Matyk, and Sally McSpadden Hanna.

So do a little scrolling and take it all in. We’ll be taking a break this summer from regular posting, but there will be occasional updates for special events/news. Thanks for reading, and congrats again to our MFA Class of 2014: Kathryn Arbuckle, Beth Bates, Jerry Brickley, Earl Carrender, Jodie English, Melissa Friedman, Jim Hanna, Nancy Hill, Diandra Holmes, Allyson Horton, Gerry Justice, Heather Kauffman-Peters, Mallory Matyk, Gretchen McGill, Darryl Pebbles, and Zach Roth.

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Our publishing panel enlightened the crowd as the graduation festivities commenced.

 

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How’s that for dedication? It’s a celebration day, and we’re still taking notes

 

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Gretchen, one of our grads, enjoys the spread and some pre-ceremony conversation.

 

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Nancy, Susan, and Beth all took to the podium as introducers or graduates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The scene from the after-party at Luke’s house. Appreciate the Southern hospitality.

 

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Allyson, Gerry, and Diandra in their proper cap and gowns at graduation the following weekend.