A week ago I asked our current students to offer up their websites to share with our visitors here. We went from one (Steve White’s Novel Dog) to ten, (student Iris Graville, always an overachiever, submitted two sites: SHARK REEF and Hands at Work).

The quality of each of these sites is nothing short of phenomenal. Our student body consists of people with many interests: from film making with Haley Isleib to philanthropic work with Yi Shun Lai, notably, ShelterBox.

Many are already in the business of writing, and though I don’t speak for anyone of them specifically, they come to NILA’s MFA program to sharpen their pens and build the chops to gain control over their craft. One mind-boggling thought: many of the students who come here are capable of teaching writing. Indeed, some have even taught courses within the program that reflect their professional experiences. Even so, we sit at the feet of instructors who bring all levels of talent to even greater heights.

Two such students are Doyce Testerman, whose novel Hidden Things was published in August of 2012, and Michelle A. Hansen, who published Painted Blind in 2012. Their commitment to professionalism and skill-craft is evident in their commitment to acquire an MFA in writing.

Some have earned recognition. (Kay Linden was nominated for a Pushcart award in 2011.) Others use their literary interests to heal humanity, one writer at a time–check out Deborah Nedelman’s contribution to the Amherst Writers and Artists Method. Not to be outdone, Roz Ray has contributed to different media. She is poised, as are all of our students, to hit the boards running when they graduate.

Celebrate our students and visit their sites.