Faculty Shout-out by Steve Arch
Natalie’s curiosity and love for books, language, and ideas is unbounded. She’s a gifted reader and a talented writer. She took two classes with me and always stood out for her insights and for her interest in what others had to say. I learned so much from her project on Arab diasporic poets in New York (in ENG 329, Poetics and Poetry). Natalie also conducted research on Edith Wharton for me for one year, and her careful eye and research skills helped me enormously. I admire Natalie’s curiosity, drive, and warm collegiality. She will go far.
Faculty Shout-out by Kristen Mahoney
I want to nominate Natalie Liliensiek for the Senior Spotlights. Natalie was a student in the 2023 Lit in London. She is one of the most brilliant and hardworking students with whom I have ever had the opportunity to work. She wrote a brilliant paper on Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales in which she argued that within the fairy tales, Wilde braids together his interests in Catholicism, socialism, Irish nationalism, and queer identity and that his capacity to integrate this diverse set of interests and investments emerges from his connections with the Decadent Movement, a movement that similarly connected forms of political dissidence with sexual dissidence as well as with religious faith. It was such a pleasure and a benefit to have her be a part of the program. I often thought of her as a more of a TA, both during our class discussions and when we went on excursions, as she frequently helped to ensure that everyone was making it from point A to point B and helped to manage any tricky or challenging travel situations. She just got accepted to an MA program at Georgetown.
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
My time as an English major as MSU has been deeply influential in shaping who I have become over the past couple of years. While I have always had a love for English, my experiences and interactions with faculty and classmates within the English department have truly given me a home.
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 have had a variety of classes and instructors that have had profound impacts on me. I had the privilege of taking Dr. Mahoney’s class on Readings in Sexuality and Literature, and her seminar in 19th Century British Literature, while doing MSU’s English Study Abroad opportunity in London. Being able to study Queer British literature in the very place many of these authors were writing, is an experience I look back on often and will cherish forever. However I feel that all of the English classes I have taken have pushed me to improve my critical reading, analysis, and writing abilities, that will be advantageous in any future career field.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
My biggest piece of advice is to join things around the department! I have made some of my best friends through some of the various English department student organizations, and have been able to participate in leadership experiences through them too. Also, try to take a variety of classes! I never considered myself someone who loved poetry, but I took a class on Poetry and Poetics in the fall, and gained an entirely new love and appreciation for poetry that I know I’ll carry with me into the future. Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons!
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.)
In the fall for my Literature capstone course, I worked with Dr. Lam on exploring the “Madwoman in the Attic” trope from the Victorian Era and seeing how it is both utilized and adapted by female writers during the Harlem Renaissance. I’ve really enjoyed being able to combine my interests in examining literature across time and different styles, and have found particular relevant in the “Madwoman” idea in modern politics as well.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
This fall, I am going to Georgetown University, where I’ll be studying in their Masters in Security Studies program. I largely credit my background in English literature, giving me a unique perspective, and showing how applicable English degrees can be in nearly any field of employment.