Spring Break 2026 became an international teaching experience for Bill Walsh, English professor, and director of Reinhardt’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program. Throughout the second week of March, he spent his break instructing and inspiring students at the University of Lleida in Spain.
Invited as a visiting writer and scholar, Walsh engaged with students and faculty through a series of seven events. His visit included a fiction workshop, literary craft lecture, poetry workshop, and multiple presentations on Georgia author Flannery O’Connor. He gave a public reading from his most recent book and gave interviews about his novels.
Immersing himself in Spanish academic life, Walsh observed the rigor of class schedules, students’ strong interest in American literature, and the limited encouragement to pursue writing as a career. University of Lleida student Yolanda Herreruela is now considering Reinhardt’s MFA program, “I have always loved writing and everything surrounding literature but had never considered it as something feasible. But [Walsh’s] talks, and the passion with which he spoke about his work and literature, have definitely been a source of inspiration.”
Outside the classroom, Walsh explored the city, countryside, and a nearby castle, drawing creative inspiration for new poetry. He looks forward to bringing these fresh perspectives back to his students at Reinhardt.
Walsh’s work and literary knowledge continue to gain recognition. The University of Oxford in England invited him and Reinhardt graduate student Lauren Dose (RU-2023 and 2026) to give a presentation this December. Their lecture will focus on Flannery O’Connor’s novel Wise Blood and its film adaptation. In recent years, Walsh and Dose co-authored a book on O’Connor’s life and work and presented their research at conferences in Poland and Georgia. They look forward to continuing to represent Reinhardt on a global stage.
– By Suzy Alstrin
