Testimonial
John Kennedy
IMA Graduate, 1995
Hometown:
Branford, CT
In the process of entering and graduating
from the IMA Program at Antioch University McGregor, I learned, among
many things, to believe in myself, define my goals, and become a self-starter.
I had never performed as well as I had hoped to in traditional academic
institutions, often sitting like a foundling in overcrowded classrooms,
anonymous and uncared for. I expected that because of such experiences
I would never fulfill my academic and creative dreams.
But the IMA Program changed that. It allowed me to work in
a studio-type, one-on-one atmosphere, where I avoided an
overburdened or disinterested institution. My
recruited IMA faculty members were creative, accomplished men and women who
cared as much about my successful learning experience as I did—and I had
hand-picked them!
And they were astonishingly easy to find. Two were accomplished writers and
professors I'd originally met and admired at readings they were giving; I found
myself calling them up once I enrolled in the IMA. One of them, in fact, was
willing to suggest two other teachers and writers and they too agreed to work
with me. My faculty members were all distinguished: Most were working writers
and teachers and/or full professors at good universities within and outside
of my home state. They were eager to work outside of the traditional, academic
atmosphere.
Their emotional and intellectual investment in me was astonishing. Designing,
coordinating, and carrying out my IMA studies taught me something I had before
only known on a surface level: There are people in the world who want to help
and mentor those who look for it and are willing to work with dedication and
pride.
As I looked for help and guidance everything fell into place. My IMA advisor,
Jon Saari, was instrumental in helping me define and put my goals into tangible
projects, perfect the design of my lMA courses, and see it through. Everyone
at Antioch, in fact, was pulling for my success. I had found a philosophy of
learning and a program in which I could excel and build a life-long professional
career and network. I earned a Master of Arts in Creative Writing in just less
than two years and many of my IMA faculty members remain teaching and writing
mentors
As a working father of three and an active poet, part-time teacher, and full-time
state employee, I found in Antioch's low-residency program the flexibility
of schedule I needed in order to continue my life responsibilities while pursuing
my dreams. And I found that Antioch's program is superior to other, similar
programs in several ways. It allows the student—the adult learner—to
envision his or her own goals (mine was both becoming a college teacher and
a nationally recognized poet and writer); design courses and field work, as
appropriate; and choose professionals in the field who are passionate and dedicated
Since completing the program, I have had poetry, book reviews, and creative
non-fiction accepted and/or published in Yankee Magazine, The Christian
Science Monitor, America, College English, The Chicago Review, Poet Lore, Tar
River Poetry, The Seattle Review, Cimarron Review, and so many other national
publications, including the 1997 edition of the Anthology of Magazine Verse & Yearbook
of American Poetry. My poetry manuscript is in circulation and there are
poets and editors who are excited about helping me place it with a good publisher.
I am now well on my way to becoming a nationally recognized poet and writer.
I am also now an adjunct assistant professor of English at Quinnipiac College,
in Hamden, CT, where I was hired a month prior to graduating from the IMA Program.
The Antioch name, I have found, commands much respect.
