Meet the Faculty

The English and Writing Faculty

These sketches can't begin to show you our diversity, or the delight we take in each other; but you can pick those up along the way. For starters, then, a few words about each of us:

Tricia Currans-Sheehan, a Briar Cliff alumna, joined the department in 1986. She received her M.A. and Ph.D.at the University of South Dakota. Tricia is a short story writer and has numerous stories published in literary magazines. She has just finished a short story cycle called The Bottom Dwellers: Stories of Siouxland. In 1997 she won first and third prize in the Iowa Literary Awards. In addition, Tricia helped found The Briar Cliff Review in 1989 and has been managing editor for ten years, propelling the BCReview into the national spotlight. Since 1992 the BCREVIEW has won the two Silver Crowns, two Gold Crowns and one Pacemaker Award. Tricia can be reached at currans@briarcliff.edu. See her complete list of publications and works.

Jeanne Emmons specializes in Modern Poetry and Victorian Literature. She has additional interests in Mythology and Linguistics. She earned her B.A., M.A., and PhD. degrees from the University of Texas, where she met her husband Adam Frisch, also a member of the Briar Cliff English faculty. She writes short stories and poetry in several American dialects, including her native Texan. She has publications in such journals as Prairie Schooner, Cimarron Review, Christian Century, Cream City Review, Laurel Review, and Southern Humanities Review. She won the Iowa Woman poetry competition in 1991, the South Coast Poetry Review competition in 1993, and the Minnesota Voices Project competition in 1996. Her book Rootbound, a collection of poetry, has been published by New Rivers Press in Minneapolis. Write Jeanne at emmons@briarcliff.edu.

Adam Frisch, who received his B.A. from the University of Michigan, his M.A. from the University of Washington, and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas, has been a member of the Briar Cliff faculty since 1978. A professor of dramatic literature, he is also a specialist in British Romantic literature and in science fiction. He has published various articles on Percy Shelley, on the role of audience when writing arguments, and on contemporary feminist science fiction writers. With Jeanne Emmons, he is half of a husband-wife team on the English faculty. Write Adam at adam.frisch@briarcliff.edu. Visit Adam's website at www.Briarcliff.edu/Frisch.

Phil Hey, currently English department chairman, has been our resident writer at Briar Cliff since 1969. Called upon to serve as unofficial poet laureate on several occasions, he also takes his poetry (which has appeared in several books and numerous magazines) to Iowa's elementary and high schools for the Iowa Arts Council. On campus he teaches writing in all its aspects and occasionally contributes his musical talents to department socials.  Contact Phil  at phil.hey@briarcliff.edu.

Phil's Resume

Jim Redmond, since 1977 a member of the English staff, did his undergraduate work at Lewis College, receiving his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at Purdue University. A scholar of Medieval and Renaissance literature, Jim leads his students to Shakespearean and other dramatic productions at Omaha and the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. In his roles with the local and state chapter of the Sierra Club, he uses his writing skill to advocate for environmental preservation. Jim responds to email sent to jim.redmondj@briarcliff.edu.