Faculty Shout-out by Professor Divya Victor:
“I’ve been lucky to have Theo in two of my classes. I’ll always remember how he’d arrive to class each morning, headphones on, deep in the pages of a giant tome, getting into some thicket of truth seeking. His thoughtfulness is matched by his humor, which takes a satirical turn only the most compassionate writers are capable of. His work holds society to a higher standard, demanding we rise to our better selves by asking the harder questions about morality and the impacts of our actions towards each other. From Theo I have learned that sincerity and deep seeking of the ‘right thing now’ are to be cultivated and treasured, and that we must accept that the journey to the truth is sometimes long, lonely, and requiring a skilled restlessness (and a tasteful playlist).”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
I have very much enjoyed my time with both English and Film Studies at MSU. I really have enjoyed it, but I did come to it a bit later into my time at MSU. I began taking writing classes my sophomore year and quickly found myself in love with the classes. They were fun spaces for creativity and exploration that I really hadn’t found elsewhere at MSU. It was because of how much I enjoyed my classes that I ended up deciding to take on a minor in creative non-fiction writing, which was truly one of my best decisions during my time here.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
I found that in every writing class I took there were standout moments. I am fully convinced the English department’s faculty are some of the kindest, most intelligent, and brilliantly creative people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I mean it truly, every professor I interacted with helped me grow as a writer in some way. I think what I will take away most of all is just a new found comfort in myself. Writing has really allowed me to understand myself better and each and everyone of my professor’s did a tremendous job at encouraging me to embrace even the weirdest things about me.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
I’d say, don’t worry about being “good” or writing a masterpiece on your first try. The whole point of learning is to try new things and to push yourself out of your comfort zone. I think you’ll get the most out of your time here if you make what you really want to make. Just get weird with it really.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? (capstone courses, honors thesis, independent studies, etc.)
This year I have been working a lot on poetry actually. I have found that spoken-word poetry can be quite fun and I have really enjoyed finding that avenue to express myself. What really excites me about poetry is that it can take on different forms – both page poetry and spoken-word. I have enjoyed tremendously exploring both of these styles and I am looking forward to continuing to revise and refresh the drafts I currently have.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
I’d really like to find service opportunities. I want to encourage young people to seek a higher education, especially encouraging people to embrace art and the making of it. The world can always use more art. Beyond that though, I love working outside and often find some great inspiration in nature, so whatever I end up doing, I sure hope it involves a tree or two at least.