University News

WIU English Alumnus Ready to Return to Academia

April 15, 2024

Share |
Printer friendly version

MOLINE, IL - - After graduating from Western Illinois University with a degree in English in 2018, Raymond Norris found a journey that led him back to academia. His path took unexpected turns, including working in his mother's bar and grill, teaching guitar lessons and freelancing, before finding his way back to his passion for literature.

Norris reflects on his time at WIU, citing the camaraderie and shared interests among his peers as a driving force behind his return to academia.

"I felt a strong sense of comradery and shared interest over my time at WIU, as I took many of the same classes with those with the same interests as me, helping each other along the way. I can't think of a single peer from that time, that I don't respect and admire. Many cherished memories were made in the respectful and fiery seminar discussions we had through the years that made my decisions easy," Norris said.

Despite initially pursuing different interests after his undergraduate studies, Norris remained in touch with his professors from WIU, who played a crucial role in guiding him back to the classroom. Professors Dan Malachuk and Everett Hamner, in particular, had a large impact on Norris's academic development.

"They have both had a profound impact on my development in their ways. I spent the most time in the classroom with Dr. Malachuk. Much of my ethical and political thought over the last seven or eight years has been informed by the discussions in his seminars. He has been immensely generous with his time over the last year as I muddled my way through the application process. He has always been a steady hand and voice of encouragement that I'm deeply grateful for. I think he knew long before I did that eventually the Ph.D. would call out to me. He had confidence that I'd get into a good school when I didn't," Norris said.

"I can't express here how important it was that Dr. Hamner directed my thesis at WIU and was a master at curtailing my natural state of deep procrastination. He pushed me routinely, perhaps incessantly, to break out of my comfort zone and attend social functions, enter writing competitions, or present at conferences. He made me a better scholar, even if he had to drag me along kicking and screaming. When I had a family member in the hospital for over a month, he showed up with takeout food and solidarity. One does not easily forget a gesture like that," Norris said.

Norris plans to move to Texas in the fall and attend Texas A&M. He hopes to remain in touch with WIU and the professors that changed his life.

"When Raymond enrolled in my graduate seminar on literature and medicine during his second semester at WIU-QC, I immediately appreciated his general candor, his self-deprecatory wit (just ask him what it was like to be "the blind guy") and his incisive observations (which regularly defied easy categorization)," WIU English Professor Everett Hamner said. "Eventually, he wrote a stellar, impressively multifaceted thesis, but what struck me was how often he took it upon himself to learn in unofficial contexts. Raymond would audit an entire course and read as much or more as his officially enrolled peers. He is as authentic in his curiosity as human beings come and I think that alone is a major reason he received such a welcome to College Station. Getting into a top-75 English graduate program is hard; winning one of their most competitive fellowships is amazing."

When asked what was one piece of advice he would give students who are also still determining their future journey and where it might take them.

"What I would say is that WIU has amazing faculty. Make an effort to get to know them," Norris said. "Read their work. Meet them in their world and let that inform you as you engage with their seminars. My main area of interest is fantasy literature. The professors made a conscious effort to meet me in that domain, even if it drew them far afield from the things they normally studied. Passion is infectious. If you have something valuable to say, the faculty will help you say it."

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing