Department of English - Meet Anna

When Anna ’26 started at Hope, she wasn’t an English major until a literature class opened her world.

“I now see literature as a vessel to other disciplines like history, philosophy and science,” she explained. “This cross-discipline realization has allowed me to apply English to so many aspects of my life.”

The junior English major from Nashville has been impressed with the breadth of niche topics available for her to explore. “Topics like undocumented migration, Harry Potter, virtue ethics, detective fiction and more have improved my critical thinking, writing and research skills. They’ve broadened my perspective,” she said.

Anna has been inspired by the excellence of the English department. “I had the privilege of taking literary theory from Dr. Curtis Gruenler. It was life changing,” she shared. “Learning about the various ways of reading literature opened my world, transforming a solid unchangeable text into something fluid and dynamic.”

While she’s still more than a year away from graduating, Anna plans on teaching English or creative writing at the high school level. She’s also considering a master of fine arts degree in creative writing.

She’s thankful for donors like you. “Your gifts to our pursuit of literary life is no small thing,” she explained. “It enriches us, changes us and moves us. Thank you.”

Anna is inspired by generosity. “I consider every writer a generous person. Every reader is generous in their time and insights. Every person who gives to the department is generous not only through their gift, but through their faith in the students who pursue a life in words. You allow us to pursue the work we love,” she said.

Your gifts on Day of Giving will provide diverse opportunities to enrich the lives of students like Anna. Will you commit to helping them discover their own stories today?