MSU's fine arts program in top 20

The Messenger 09.12.12

Murray (Ky.) State University’s master’s in fine arts (MFA) program was recently named to the top 20 in the nation among low-residency programs by Poets & Writers literary organization.
The goal of the MFA program at Murray is to facilitate the creative and professional growth of writers. The university’s program is considered low-residency because it offers advanced instruction to creative writers while enabling them to live and work elsewhere.
The degree provides the necessary academic credentials for teaching creative writing at the university level and also offers a field study on the staff of The New Madrid Journal, the national journal of Murray State University’s MFA program.
Ann Neelon is the program’s director and has been involved since its inception in 2005. Carrie Jerrell is the associate director.
“I am especially gratified by the national recognition from Poets & Writers,” Ms. Neelon said. “I have to say, though, that it takes a village to keep a successful MFA program going — great students, great alumni, great creative writing faculty, great literature faculty, a great chair and a great dean. The contributions of all involved have been prodigious and it’s wondrous to see how much all of us, working together, can accomplish.”
Poets & Writers is one of the largest nonprofit literary organizations in the United States.
Ms. Neelon said Murray State’s MFA program was given the honor because of the diverse faculty.
“Our faculty combines the best of both worlds in the sense that we have writers who teach full time at Murray State, as well as writers from states outside Kentucky who teach part time and provide a vibrant counterpart,” she said.
“The dynamics of inside and outside are essential to the richness of our program.”

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