Marian University Associate Professor of English Dr. Jodi Wagner-Angell will be one of three panelists discussing “Station Eleven” at 7 p.m. on March 9, as part of the Menomonee Falls Public Library’s celebration of the 2014 Emily St. John Mandel book.
The Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning novel takes place in the Great Lakes region after a fictional swine flu pandemic has devastated the world, killing most of the population. Joining Wagner-Angell will be UW-Milwaukee professor of English Dr. Ellyn Lem and UW-Green Bay Sheboygan Campus Associate Professor of English Dr. Valerie Murrenus Pilmaier.
“I was captivated by the narrative structure and themes of the book, and the timing of this reading is uncanny, considering everything we’re hearing about the Coronavirus,” said Wagner-Angell. “The book gives us a guide on how we can maintain humanity in a world where people are just trying to survive. Attendees can expect an engaging conversation about the power of literature to help us through dark times.”
The MFPL is one of 78 nonprofit organizations to receive a $15,000 grant as part of the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest intended to “help broaden our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through sharing a book.”
Wagner-Angell joined Marian in 2008 and has taught literature, composition, and professional writing, while also serving as the faculty advisor for the International English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta.
