Mary Washington Shines a Spotlight on the Art and Craft of Writing

When University of Mary Washington senior Asunta Ross first heard about a day dedicated to writing – something near and dear to her heart as an English major – she jumped at the chance to help celebrate it on campus.

“Being a student at UMW gives me lots of options to experiment with different writing styles and forms,” said Ross, president of the English Club. “I’m happy to turn that experience into a fun event for students across campus.”

Established by the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Day on Writing, celebrated each year on October 20, shines a light on the many ways people write and the vital role writing plays in daily life. From journaling and creative expression to professional communication, the day encourages everyone to share their stories, strengthen their craft and reflect on why writing matters.

At Mary Washington, the celebration has become an annual tradition. This year’s event – coordinated by Simpson Library, the Department of English and Linguistics, and the Speaking and Writing Center – brought together faculty, staff and students for a full day of writing-themed activities.

Participants played Scrabble at the Speaking and Writing Center, crafted blackout poems in Combs Hall, tried Mad Libs outside the Hurley Convergence Center and checked out books at Simpson Library. Students also transcribed their names phonetically with the Linguistics Club, wrote flash fiction with the Creative Writing Club, and got résumés reviewed through a new collaboration between English and Linguistics and the Center for Career and Professional Development.

“We’ve changed the activities each year and have grown to include more partners across campus to show writing’s importance,” said Brenta Blevins, associate professor of writing studies and digital studies. “Our campus observation of the day aims to encompass the importance and breadth of writing across many different uses and contexts and highlight all the support for it on campus.”

Students collected stickers for participating in activities on writing-themed bingo cards and turned them in for a chance to win prizes. “It’s a great way to get students thinking about different kinds of writing and also raise awareness of research and writing support services on campus,” said Patricia Greene, head of access services and outreach at Simpson Library. “And it’s fun!”

UMW senior Asunta Ross, an English major and president of the English club, gives out stickers for participation in National Day on Writing activities. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Students collected stickers for participating in activities on writing-themed bingo cards and turned them in for a chance to win prizes. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Associate Professor of Writing Studies and Digital Studies Brenta Blevins talks to students in Combs Hall, home to the Department of English and Linguistics. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

History and secondary education majors Ashley Palin (L) and Lesley Morales-Sanchez (R) take a break from studying to create magnetic poetry in the Simpson Library. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Many “Why I Write” Post-it Notes collected over the years during the annual celebration of National Day on Writing. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Participants tried Mad Libs outside the Hurley Convergence Center assisted by Morgan Zimmerman (L), a senior biochemistry and studio art double major that works as a student consultant for the Speaking and Writing Center. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Student consultants, like sophomore historic preservation and environmental science double major Clarisa Johnson (L) and junior geography major Sarala Kennedy (R), assist their Mary Washington peers in the Speaking and Writing Center, a resource for students honing their communication skills. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

One such service is the Speaking and Writing Center – a daily resource for Mary Washington students honing their communication skills. “We offer individualized support on written and oral assignments across every discipline, tackling everything from brainstorming and organization to visual design and presentation delivery,” said Leah Schweitzer, who directs the center and leads the University’s writing intensive program. “Whether someone’s writing a paper, preparing a speech or turning research into a poster, we help them build confidence.”

The variety of support is what appeals to student consultants who work at the Center, like Clarisa Johnson, a sophomore historic preservation and environmental science double major. “I love learning about all the interesting work my peers are doing and helping them express their ideas clearly and effectively,” she said.

For event organizers, the celebration goes beyond a single day. Planning the occasion develops leadership and project-management skills that support Life After Mary Washington, a University-wide initiative focused on embedding the principles of career readiness and workforce development into the UMW experience. The program helps students translate their campus involvement into tangible, career-relevant skills they can showcase on résumés and in job interviews.

“With this event, our students are gaining valuable skills in communication, collaboration, social media and digital design,” Blevins said. “While they’re celebrating the importance of writing, they’re also doing a lot of valuable résumé-building with their contributions.”

Ross said the annual celebration reinforces a message she’s come to appreciate as an English major. “Writing and communication are how people connect with one another, so it’s important to highlight all the different forms that can take,” she said. “That’s why I love that we bring awareness to it every October 20, it reminds everyone that writing is a skill we all use every day.”

Learn more about National Day on Writing on its website or visit UMW’s English and Linguistics and Life After Mary Washington webpages.