MARLBORO — During the week of Aug. 3 to 8, Marlboro College will present its first summer program specifically designed for adults who are interested in writing.
Based at Marlboro's rural Vermont undergraduate campus, this year's summer writing intensive has the theme of service and active citizenship.
“Anyone interested in writing and thinking about college is welcome,” said Ariel Brooks, director of non-degree programs at Marlboro. “We particularly hope that veterans and others eligible for our Veterans Writing Grant will take advantage of the opportunity to attend at no cost.”
The summer writing intensive is offered in collaboration with Words After War, a literary organization co-founded by Navy veteran and Marlboro alumnus Brandon Willitts. Words After War's mission is to provide veterans and civilians the opportunity to examine conflict and war through the lens of literature.
“Service and active citizenship were firmly at the core of my liberal arts education,” said Willits, now executive director of Words After War. “My desire to build a literary community that brings veterans and civilians together was shaped equally by my military experience and my experiences at Marlboro College.”
“The writing intensive will be five days of reading, writing, and discussing literature,” said John Sheehy, Marlboro professor and program director. “The goal is to put professional writers and professors in conversation with new writers who are interested in honing their craft.”
Morning classes on drafting, editing, and technique are combined with afternoon workshops with professional writers and literary activities in the evening.
The summer writing intensive grows out of Marlboro College's fundamental commitment to both writing and veterans.
Marlboro was founded in 1946 by veterans returning from World War II who wanted to create a different kind of college- one where students were not only participants but also active contributors to the academic and community life of campus. Writing is at the core of the curriculum these veterans designed.
The cost of the program, which includes all workshops, lodging, and food, is $500. In the spirit of Marlboro's founders, all veterans, military spouses, gold star children, as well as those currently serving on active, reserve, or Guard duty, are eligible for a Veterans Writing Grant, which will entitle them to attend the intensive at no cost. Limited scholarships for non-veterans are also available.