Interview with Drew Alumni

             by Sheli Jasterzbski

 

Name: Erin McMaster Kennedy         

Year of graduation:  1982       

Degrees received:  BA            

Clubs and/or activities you were involved in on campus:  SGA President, Orientation Committee, Social Committee

 

What made you choose Drew and what made you decide to major in English at Drew?

My parents encouraged me to apply to Drew.  After applying, I was awarded a Trustee Scholarship, which was the deciding factor in my choosing Drew.

Initially I planned to major in English because I planned to go to law school and I believed an English major would be a good foundation in this pursuit.  Also, I enjoyed reading and writing, so an English major was attractive to me.

 

What were some of your favorite English-related classes taken while at Drew? Who was/were your professor(s) for the class(es)?

My favorite English-related classes ended up being writing classes, including Poetry with Dr. Ready, advanced writing with Dr. Berke (whom I saw at a social event last week!) and journalism, which was a Jan term class taught by an adjunct .

 

Which classes that you took do you feel would be most beneficial to a current English major and why?

I think writing classes are most important.  In my career today, I am shocked by how many attorneys do not have adequate writing skills.

 

Name your top five favorite books, whether you read them at Drew or elsewhere. Can you recall a book (or maybe more than one) that stuck out for you in your Drew career?

I find it almost impossible to pick my top five favorites.  I have read many books in my life and at my age remembering them all is an insurmountable challenge.  One of my all time favorites, which I first read at Drew, was the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

 

How have you applied your English background post-graduation? What would be your advice to current English majors at Drew?

I think an English major is a solid foundation for almost any pursuit after college.  You learn two important skills: being able to analyze something and being able to communicate.  If you can master these, you can succeed at almost anything.