Fall '23 Washington Square is live!

I’m delighted to share the latest issue of Washington Square: The Magazine, which showcases the stories of San José State students, alumni, faculty and partners who are invested in community-engaged learning and workforce development.

Washington Square: The Magazine

In this issue, you can:

  • Read about the newly opened Interdisciplinary Science Building (ISB), which has eight floors of fume hoods, lab space and classrooms to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, research and learning.

  • Learn about San José State University’s well-established tradition of community engagement through programs like the Center for Community Learning and Leadership and CommUniverCity, which encourage Spartans to seek service learning opportunities that not only contribute to their academic and professional development, but also enrich their lives and offer needs-based support to fellow San Joseans.

  • Discover “best kept secret in aviation”: SJSU Aviation offers students a great range of experiences and career opportunities.

  • Learn about the Timpany Center’s heated pool and therapeutic services, which make fitness accessible to all abilities, has fulfilled its mission “to create an inclusive space for people to thrive.”

  • Delve into the 50-year history of San José Taiko co-founders Roy and Patti Jo “PJ” Hirabayashi, ’77 MUP, community organizers who fell in love while collaborating with fellow activists to establish an Asian American Studies Department at San José State in 1970.

  • Discover what ChatGPT failed to recognize about PR guru Jon Iwata, ’84 Public Relations, who believes the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), business and corporate social responsibility presents an opportunity to serve the public good.

  • Read how the COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for qualified special educators dramatically, expanding pre-existing inequities for teachers and students alike. San José State’s Special Education Department is creating opportunities for future teachers to shape more inclusive classrooms.

  • Get to know an accomplished scientist with a passion for public service, Robin López, ’18 MS Civil Engineering, who is shifting the narrative about civic engagement by expanding what it means to have a seat at the community table.

Read these and more online at sjsu.edu/wsq.

#FFF's Literary Pub Crawl: November 22

I'm delighted to be reading a few of my 100-word stories this Sunday, November 22, at San Jose's first-ever Literary Pub Crawl, hosted by the masterminds behind the Flash Fiction Forum. 

There are four main stages of the event, all located in San Jose’s SOFA district:

Hope to see you there!

POW!

Play On Words’ premiere event at San Jose’s Blackbird Tavern was a huge success! We were thrilled to welcome 75 friends and family to the Blackbird’s gorgeous new show space on October 24 to kick off our new literary series. We’re grateful to our writers and performers for their excellent work, and to the gracious Blackbird staff for setting us up with a great stage, cozy tables and stocked bar.

The evening started with a moody contemporary short story by Ryan Alpers entitled “Predecessors.” It was performed by Melinda Marks and Adam Magill. 

The evening started with a moody contemporary short story by Ryan Alpers entitled “Predecessors.” It was performed by Melinda Marks and Adam Magill.

 

Our second piece was “Medea,” an original monologue written and performed by Melinda Marks.

Our second piece was “Medea,” an original monologue written and performed by Melinda Marks.

Ryan Alpers interpreted an excerpt of Eric Sneathen’s engaging poetry series entitled “Glister.”

Ryan Alpers interpreted an excerpt of Eric Sneathen’s engaging poetry series entitled “Glister.”

Our fourth piece was “Malleus Maleficarum,” a hilarious short play by Adam Magill, performed by Adam, Melinda, Doug York, Brian Van Winkle, and Jimmy Allan.

Our fourth piece was “Malleus Maleficarum,” a hilarious short play by Adam Magill, performed by Adam, Melinda, Doug York, Brian Van Winkle, and Jimmy Allan.

Jimmy Allan closed out the night with his reading of Leah Griesmann’s short story, “Slave.”

Jimmy Allan closed out the night with his reading of Leah Griesmann’s short story, “Slave.”

We are so excited by the work we saw performed, as well as our wonderful audience, that we are opening up submissions for our second show, to be scheduled (most likely) in February 2014. If you are a Bay Area writer or performer, and are interested in collaborating with us, please email us at playonwordssj@gmail.com to learn more. We accept original short fiction, poetry, monologues, 10-minute plays and creative nonfiction that is under 10 pages double spaced. The deadline for our next show is December 15, 2013.

Melinda Marks, Nicole Hughes, and I at the Blackbird Tavern.

Melinda Marks, Nicole Hughes, and I at the Blackbird Tavern.

This is reblogged from the Play On Words site. Check out our blog to learn more about us!