Campus and Student Life

What started off as a handmade publication, using white paper, tape, and other inexpensive resources, Penn In Hand, Penn State Brandywine’s literary magazine, has now become a visual gem.

The Penn In Hand literary magazine seeks to increase the spirit of student creativity and expression on campus. For at least fifteen years, Penn In Hand has showcased the writing of students at the Brandywine campus. From its conception, the magazine has strived to present the written works of talented writers through poetry and short stories. I, as the editor of the magazine, want to continue this tradition by improving its quality as long as I am in this position.

Each year the magazine is distributed at Penn State Brandywine’s annual event, Litapalooza, an event that coincides with National Poetry Month in April and aims to promote poetry and its place in society.

Creative Expression for Everyone

Although it is a student-run organization, Penn In Hand allows submissions from all on campus, including faculty and staff members. This year marks the first year that faculty/staff had a strong participation in the publication. The staff of the magazine believes that it is important to not only convey the voices of students, but also the voices of those who allow the campus to run smoothly.

Currently Penn State Brandywine does not have formal degree programs in disciplines such as art, music and dance. Although efforts for such programs are underway, at this moment, Penn In Hand serves as one of the only outlets of creative expression for students thirsty to showcase their creativity. I, being one of those students eager about the arts, use the magazine as a tool for my expression and that of others.

“I think it is awesome that we have something like Penn In Hand on campus because there are so few opportunities for creative expression,” says Ashley Wood, a sophomore who is a Political Science major, and also serves as president of the campus Student Government Association. “It shows that our students are very talented. It’s beautifully done.”

The magazine is not just limited to poetry and short story submissions. It also includes beautiful work from photographers and artists. Penn In Hand covers creative expression from a wide variety of fields.

Student Achievement

All students who submit to Penn In Hand have the opportunity to have their work published. In addition to inclusion in the magazine, students who submit exceptional work are considered for two contests, one for poetry and short stories.

“I feel really grateful that I can be recognized for something like poetry that I enjoy doing and allows me to express myself,” says Rahel Teklegiorgis, a junior majoring in Corporate Communications, and first-place winner of this year’s Poetry Contest. “I think it’s just as important as academic achievements, to be able to create something original, share it, and for others to learn from it.”

The Future

The future of the magazine is very bright. In comparison to previous years, Penn In Hand now has a bigger staff that takes part in editing submissions and configuring the layout. Next steps include attracting more student contributors, adding more pages to the publication, and promoting the publication beyond campus boundaries. With next year being my last year as editor, I hope to deliver a truly amazing piece of creative works.