Geek Out

We hope our students enjoyed Spring Break last week! Don’t worry–we didn’t forget about our weekly post. Here’s a Monday surprise blog to make up for our brief hiatus.

By Sarah Baar

One of my favorite parts about working in the English department at Hope College is hearing about all the super cool things that make you guys geek out.

As with many English departments, yes, we have tons of Harry Potter fans. And I get to spend countless hours discussing the books, characters, themes and present-day applications of the books and movies. Not to mention being the advisor for the Quidditch Club on campus and making my own wand.

But outside of sharing a general love of Harry Potter, I learn so much from our students and faculty. I hear students speak Welsh, passionately discuss the themes of Steven Universe, share poetry on LGBTQ+ issues and explain the merits of Kendrick Lamar. I chat with faculty about the connections between J. R. R. Tolkien and Rene Girard, the cleverness of John Donne, the best video editing sites and the idea of designing tattoos for chairs.

Everyday is a new opportunity to get to know fascinating people. Of course, some days I’m busy or distracted and I don’t take advantage of that chance. I let the moment pass, say hello and then turn back to my computer.

The moments that matter are when I stop, ask how a student is really doing or ask a faculty what research they’re working on. Those moments make my day. They help me see some of the amazing stories that surround us in the English department.