By Ophelia Wagner | Acclaimed Appalachian poet and novelist Ron Rash visited East Tennessee State University in April as the keynote speaker for The Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative’s 10th Annual Spring Literary Festival at ETSU on April 21-22. Hosted by ETSU’s Literature and Language department, the festival welcomed writers such as Rose McLarney, Juan Martinez, and Nickole Brown for poetry and prose readings and public conversations. 

On April 7, East Tennessee State University’s campus was buzzing with showcases of local culture and traditions. Mountain Made, an Appalachian folk festival hosted by the ETSU SGA, Department of Appalachian Studies, and Buctainment, ETSU’s student life organization. The event is a callback to the ETSU campus culture of the 1960s and ’70s, when folk festivals were held on campus every year. Students, faculty, and visitors could find activities and performances throughout campu

Anatomy of a Journey, Part 1 | The first five hours are “home territory.” Your journey has not yet begun. Think mournfully about those you are leaving behind Invent regrets, the lack of one last hug. Dwell on everything you could have done. It is morning, and you will be half asleep as you drive, So snack constantly on whatever you want. Never count calories on a long road trip, Especially when you are the only driver.