Locations and Hours
We are located in the annex across the atrium from the library. Questions or comments? Call us (X4493 on campus, 240-895-4493 off-campus) or e-mail us at scmagruder (at) smcm dot edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule an appointment?
You have several options: you can stop by during our walk-in hours, and we'll do our best to assist you; you can use our online scheduler (your login, if you've never used it before, is your school email with your last name as your password); or you can give us a call at x4493. Calling or stopping by is the best option if you can't make any of the posted hours.
What is the meaning of life?
We don't know either. But keep looking. Let us know if you figure it out; we may post your answer. Meanwhile, try typing "What is the meaning of life?" into Wolfram Alpha.
Meet the Tutors:
Danielle Doubt
Major: English
Minor: Women, Gender, and Sexuality
Writing: I am interested in rhetoric, political writing and journalism, as well as creative fiction and creative non-fiction.
Interests: feminist movements, local food movements, running, so really any kind of movement, be it social, political or physical I probably find pretty cool.
Click here to see all of our peer tutors.
Meet the Tutors
Of course, you may have already met the tutors; if you haven't visited them at the Writing Center or attended a workshop they led, maybe you sat next to one in Principles of Biology, acted with one in a play, or played with one in the orchestra. The peer tutors have diverse interests, but they share three things in common: their love of writing, their skill in communicating what they know about writing, and their general awesomeness. They're good people to spend half an hour with. So come in and see them.
The 2011-12 tutors are listed below. Their tutoring hours, photos and bios are coming soon.
Director: Brian O'Sullivan, Ph.D.
See Professor O'Sullivan's English Department Faculty Page.
Assistant Director: Sarah Magruder Robinson
Sarah is the Assistant Director of the Writing Center and an alum of St. Mary's. The swamp owes her two frisbees.
Peer Tutors
Danielle Doubt
Major: English
Minor: Women, Gender, and Sexuality
Writing: I am interested in rhetoric, political writing and journalism, as well as creative fiction and creative non-fiction.
Interests: feminist movements, local food movements, running, so really any kind of movement, be it social, political or physical I probably find pretty cool.
Julie Durbin
Minor: Educational Studies
Interests: I absolutely love any kind of writing—essay writing, fiction writing, creative non-fiction writing, poetry, etc—no matter how much of a pain in the butt it can be to get my ideas out of my head and onto a blank sheet of paper. However, I do play favorites— despite my chronic writer’s block problem, I love and have always loved fiction writing and plan to become a published fiction writer one day. That being said, I love reading as well! What better way to learn how to write than to read? I love escaping into the world of the story, especially if it means I can procrastinate doing something else. I also love playing guitar and listening to music! And if you know me well, you can attest to the fact that I love goofing off and being ridiculous.
Favorites: They tend to change through time, but some of the most mind-melting, all-time favorites of mine are the Harry Potter series, The Shining by Stephen King, and Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Some other good-reads of mine are Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. My favorite poem thus far is The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash. I’m a kid at heart, so I’ve always been a fan of children’s and young adult literature (and yes—these genres can be literary!). Anyone who enjoys young adult literature should definitely look into reading anything by John Green.
Tobias Franzen
Majors: English and TFMS (Theater)
Tobias acknowledges that writing is hard; he acknowledges that rock climbing is hard; he pretty much acknowledges that life is hard. That’s why he is here to make life a little more bearable for students by working as a tutor. He enjoys performing, being an avid participant in theater and music on campus. He also enjoys Arnold Palmers. *Hint*Hint*
Kelsey Kuszmaul
Major: English
Minor: Film
Interests: Reading, Writing, Taking Pictures, Watching Movies, Being Outside
Favorite Reads: Hamlet, Harry Potter, Wind in the Willows, Dracula, anything Vonnegut, anything Roald Dahl
I love to read fiction and write letters. I need to work on becoming a better pen pal because I am hoping to go to Florence to study abroad next semester. :) I am happy to read anything that anyone writes- essays, fiction, poems, thoughts scribbled on a napkin, etc. I read A LOT (an absolutely ridiculous amount), so if you visit the Writing Center, you are giving me an excuse to do one of my favorite things! I am also a complete kid at heart- I keep a hardcover copy of The Big Friendly Giant in my room at school; the title character, even in illustration, looks exactly like my grandfather.
Paula Riner
Major: Biology
Minors: Music and Environmental Studies
Favorites:
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close; Animal, Vegetable, Miracle; The Glass Castle: A Memoir; and anything and everything by Bill Bryson, Micheal Pollan, and Shakespeare.
Interests: saving the world one species at a time, kayaking, playing trumpet, and creative writing.
Let me start by saying that being a science major does not mean that you don't need to know--or don't already know--how to write well! Being able to communicate exactly what you mean, to anyone in any field, is so empowering. With that said, I'm able to help science majors and arts majors alike, whether it be with lab reports, literary analyses, First Year Seminar essays, the works. If you're stuck at any point in the writing process or don't know where to start, don't be shy! Come on in and I'll be happy help you out, even if it's just tossing ideas back and forth.
Julia Roberts
Major: English
Minor: Film
Favorite Reads: As I Lay Dying, A Walk in the Woods, The Things They
Carried; literally everything by Margaret Atwood; E.B. White.
Interests: Delta blues; thru-hiking the AT; silent film (Buster Keaton
is seriously awesome); writing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction; travel.
Lauren Taverner
Major: Psychology, Pre- Occupational Therapy
Minor: Biology, Educational Studies
Interests: autism/disability awareness, dance, travel, food, all
sorts of writing (especially scientific writing), and hugs.
