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Alumnus Profile: Eric G. Wilson ’89

May 25, 2015

Eric G. Wilson ’89 is the Thomas H. Pritchard Professor of English at Wake Forest University. He teaches courses in British and American romanticism and creative nonfiction and has published several books related to these fields.

“I was lucky to have wonderful teachers when I was at Appalachian. They not only prepared me for graduate studies, but they also showed me how to teach effectively,” Wilson said.

Both his parents attended Appalachian in the 1960s, so he was familiar with the area and knew they had had a wonderful experience. Initially wanting to study biology on a pre-med track, Wilson took an Intro to Literature class with Bill Ward, who he said “really set my mind on fire for poetry.”

Why should students consider majoring in English?

“First of all, the department is an exciting mixture of excellent teaching and distinguished scholarship. Secondly, the education they’ll receive will prepare them for a wide range of well-paying jobs and prestigious professional programs,” Wilson said.

“More and more, business corporations and nonprofits alike are seeking employees who are creative, articulate in both speech and writing, and capable of rigorous critical thinking. Of course, these are precisely the qualities you will gain as an English major. Likewise, professional programs, namely medical and law schools, are increasingly interested in recruiting English majors, who can bring, in addition to the qualities listed above, an expansive humanistic perspective to medical and legal issues.”

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Program

  • English (BA) - Literary Studies

    Students in English (BA) – Literary Studies engage in analytical and critical readings of literature and develop methods for arguing and supporting a specific point of view.

Department

  • Department of English

    The Department of English at Appalachian State University is committed to outstanding work in the classroom, the support and mentorship of students, and a dynamic engagement with culture, history, language, theory and literature. It offers Master of Arts degrees in English and rhetoric and composition, as well as undergraduate degrees in literary studies, film studies, creative writing, professional writing and English education.

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  • College of Arts and Sciences

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University houses 16 academic departments spanning the humanities, social sciences, and the mathematical and natural sciences.

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