By Suzy Alstrin
Reinhardt University celebrated students graduating from the Etowah Valley Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing on June 22, 2025. A commencement ceremony marked the end of an intense two-year journey of mentorship, literary growth, and creative achievement for its graduates.
As part of the University’s low-residency MFA program, students worked one-on-one with published and award-winning authors, culminating in a 10-day summer residency on the Waleska campus from June 12-22. Throughout the residency, students immersed themselves in writing workshops, attended craft talks, and presented their best work at public evening readings—sharing the stage with accomplished visiting authors and alumni.
On the final day of the residency, a formal ceremony recognized the achievements of graduates Meredith Brown, Amber Evans-Taylor, Christianne Grist, Betty Morris-Mitchell, Catherine Orlandi, Lorenzo Robinson, and Hunter Spurlock. The Faculty Choice Award for Excellence honored Hunter Spurlock (first place) and Catherine Orlandi (second place) for their demonstration of the highest level of writing and contributions to their craft.
The event continued with a powerful reading from keynote speaker Jessica Handler, an award-winning author and MFA faculty member, who offered insight and inspiration to the next generation of storytellers. “I want you as working writers, as artists, as communicators, as citizens, to recognize your role in our culture. Our work is important. Know who you are and how you see your world. There is great joy in creating art and being who you are. So go forth and create change.”
Graduate Christianne Grist, an aspiring scriptwriter, credits the program for setting her on the path to success. “I was drawn to Reinhardt because of its course catalog and its mentorship program. There aren’t many MFA programs in creative writing on the East Coast, and even fewer offer script writing. I was paired with Michael Lucker, a successful screenwriter, who challenged me to grow as a writer. Thanks to him and this program, I’ve won scriptwriting competitions, completed an internship with TV producer Jen Grisanti, built a professional portfolio, and I leave with the knowledge of how to pitch my scripts.”
With their degrees in hand and stories yet to be told, Reinhardt’s newest MFA graduates now step confidently into the literary world, equipped with the skills, experience, and inspiration to shape the future of creative writing.
