Special Events
As a large, liberal arts department, we are proud to interact and host events for the university and the community. We hope to inform and entertain our guests.
Each year, we host the Asanbe-Eichhorn Symposium in honor of Dr. Joseph Asanbe; he was a longtime chair for the diversity committee, and we strive to honor him each year with featured speakers that enlighten attendees and bring awareness.
With generous support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, the Creative Writing arts area hosts award winning authors and guest speakers for on-campus events and in-class visits. Every four years Creative Writing is also the home of the Acuff Chair of Excellence, a rotating endowment that has been filled each year with residencies by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. Learn more about special events and opportunities in Creative Writing here.
Asanbe-Eichhorn Symposium
These symposia are help annually to honor Joseph Asanbe, Professor of African and
African-Literature, who died in 1996. Dr. Asanbe was longtime chair of the department’s Diversity Committee,
which organizes the events to honor his legacy and encourage continued understanding
and appreciation of diversity. Co-sponsored by the APSU Department of Languages and
Literature and the Center of Excellence for Creative Arts, the Asanbe Symposium was
created to nurture diversity and to support and enhance the teaching of world literature.
Zone 3 Visiting Writers Series
Through the Visiting Writers Series, our students have the unique opportunity to engage with writers of regional, national and international renown. In some cases, the opportunity comes in the form of a reading and book signing. In other cases, it’s picking an author’s brain over dinner at a local café.
Made possible by the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, the Zone 3 Visiting Writers Series brings writers of regional, national, and international renown to campus for readings, panel discussions, book signings, and class visits. Notable guests have included Richard Wilbur, Gary Snyder, Mary Oliver, Yusef Komunyakaa, Robert Haas, Carolyn Forché, Mark Jarman, Eavan Boland, Lorrie Moore, Stephen Dunn, Rebecca Walker, Ann Patchett, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Nicole Walker, Louise Erdrich, Dorothy Allison, Sarah Kay, Douglas Kearney, Kiese Laymon, Bonnie Jo Campbell, Victoria Chang, Joe Milan Jr. and more.
Review the calendar of events for information about upcoming readings, lectures and more.
World Language Festival
The World Language Festival offers students in Middle Tennessee and Fort Campbell high schools an exciting opportunity to celebrate World cultures and participate in competitions within their respective beginning, intermediate, or advanced World language courses. Students compete in a variety of categories, including Grammar, dance, music, cuisine, and literature, while also taking part in other types of activities led by Austin Peay State University’s faculty and students.
Bread and Words
Each year, the department hosts an event, Bread and Words, to raise money for the APSU Food Pantry. The evening includes a meal of soups and breads followed student and faculty readings of poetry and fiction.