CV – Wendy Marie Vergoz

Education and Credentials

Northwestern University, MS, Education and Social Policy, Secondary English Concentration
Wheaton College, BA, English Literature

Illinois Professional Educator License: Secondary English
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate (140 hour) – myTEFL
Languages: English – native, French – B2

Areas of Interest

Poetry/Essays/Creative Writing
Social Justice and Activism—feminism, gender studies, domestic violence, Black Lives Matter
French Colonialism—especially Île de France (Mauritius) and la Réunion, the East African Slave Trade, and Slavery on Île de France and Réunion
Collective Memory
Writing as Recovery
Creative Arts—especially connections between writing and visual art

Fellowships and Awards

Prix « Écriture et création » d’Aix Marseille Université, La Criée, Théâtre National de Marseille, 25 mai 2022.
President’s Servant Leader Award, “For exemplary leadership in implementing Marian’s vision of developing transformational leaders for service to the world,” Marian University, April 27, 2018
Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship, Literary/Poetry, The Arts Council of Indianapolis (NEA Affiliate), 2017-2018
Individual Artist Grant, Literary/Poetry, The Indiana Arts Commission (NEA Affiliate), 2017-2018
Franciscan Values Recognition, “For facilitating public and personal art in a community center for abused and displaced women in Indianapolis; for teaching the women writers and the university’s student interns; for engaging in an authentic act of social justice,” Marian University, April 28, 2017
Service Engagement Grant, Scholarship of Engagement Category for “Finding Our Voices, Writing Our Futures,” Indiana Campus Compact, June 30, 2015
Superintendent’s Award, “For taking leadership in the new teacher mentorship program,” Highland Park High School, May 17, 1993

Professional History

Freelance Writer & Researcher

Aix-en-Provence, France

August 2021 – Present

I’m currently in France studying French and doing research for my next book which focuses on my connection with French ancestors who lived on Île de France (Mauritius) and la Réunion in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The book will explore the strong sense of identity I feel as a French descendent, something in deep conflict with the fact that my ancestors were involved in the slave trade.

Assistant Professor of English
Marian University, Indianapolis, IN

August 2008-May 2020

Courses taught: Creative Writing; Advanced Creative Writing; Advanced Poetry Writing Tutorial; Independent Poetry Tutorial-Portfolio Development; Writing Workshops in Secondary Classrooms; Submitting Written Work for Publication; Modern Poetry; Advanced Editorial Experience; English Composition; Writing and Community; Written Analysis of Literature; First Year Seminar; Professional Writing; Internship Supervision

Director and Instructor of Women’s Writing Workshop
Unleavened Bread Cafe, Indianapolis, IN
July 2015-May 2019

As part of a university service-learning project, I conducted a weekly writing workshop for women survivors of drug addiction, domestic violence, incarceration, and other injustice in a modest cafe which serves a marginalized urban community. I edited two books and directed three public readings by the women writers. The second book, containing articles on the cafe’s history and writing by the women, celebrated the cafe’s twentieth anniversary.

Lecturer of English
Marian College, Indianapolis, IN
August 2007-May 2008

Courses taught: English Composition; Written Analysis of Literature

Teacher of English
Cherry Creek High School, Greenwood Village, CO
August 2006-April 2007

Courses taught: Senior Writing Clinic; Sophomore English; Freshman English

Teacher of Eighth Grade American Literature and History
Montclair Academy, Denver, CO
August 2004-May 2006

Affiliated Scholar
English Department, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
August 2000-May 2003

Fellow and Instructor
Young Writers at Kenyon, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
June-July 1999

Teacher of English
Highland Park High School, Highland Park, IL
August 1991-June 1998

Courses taught: Writing for Publication; Senior English; American Literature and Composition (11^th grade); Sophomore English; Freshman English

Publications

« Ma Lettre d’Amour pour le 29 avenue Robert Schuman, un École de la Langue Française, » Et j’ai su que ce trésor était pour nous, Aix-Marseille Université, novembre 2022.
“Numbers,” “Sanctuary,” and “Ask Me,” The World We Live(d) In, Indiana Writers Center, December 5, 2019.
The Unbinding, Wipf and Stock Publishers, Sept. 6, 2019.
“Bully in a Backward Collar,” “Sanctuary,” “Sanctuary 2,” and “Stuff,” Featured Poet, Pink Panther Magazine, Volume 10, Number 1, March 8, 2019.
“Bitter Vision,” Editor’s Choice, Panoplyzine, February 2019.
“The Sound,” Mothers Always Write, February 2019.
“His First Wife” and “Popsicle” 50/50: Poems & Translations by Womxn over 50, Quills Edge Press, December. 2018.
“Whiplash” and “Ghazal to Prey No More,” Dystrumpian Almanac, December 11, 2018.
Editor, The Unleavened Bread Cafe: Twenty Years of Living Water. Intern Eds: Sara Frye, Abby Henderson, Erin Rosebrough. Indianapolis, IN. UBC Women’s Writers Workshop. 2017.
“A Geometry of Falling,” Literary Mama, January 18, 2017.
“Eddie and Donald,” Cleaver Magazine, December 16, 2016.
“Magdalena’s Song,” Ground, October 16, 2016.
“An Evening at the Church Redemption Film Series,” Ground, June 19, 2016.
“What’s to Happen,” Ground, April 17, 2016.
“The Blueberry Hill Pancake House,” Flying Island Journal, December 23, 2015.
“Filled with Ladders, the World,” Flying Island Journal, December 2, 2015.
“Anna’s Lament,” Flying Island Journal, October 23, 2015.
Editor, Voices Unlocked: Soulful Stories from 30^th and Central. Intern Eds: Lydia Godsil & K. C. Chan. Indianapolis, IN: UBC Women’s Writers Workshop. 2015.
Book Review: Imago Dei: Poems from Christianity and Literature, Ed. Jill Peláez Baumgaertner. Anglican Theological Review. Fall 2013, Vol. 95, No. 4.
“The Leonids,” Anglican Theological Review, Fall 2012, Vol. 94, No. 4.
Book Review: Tolstoy in Love, by Ray Givans. Anglican Theological Review. Sp. 2012, Vol. 94, No. 2.
Book Review: Divine Margins, by Peter Cooley. Anglican Theological Review. Su. 2010, Vol. 92, No. 3.
“Pink Impatiens,” Anglican Theological Review, Spring 2009, Vol. 91, No. 2.
“No Matter,” Art of the Moving Image & Spoken Word Anthology, October 2, 2008.
“Vinalhaven Ferry, Siren Song,” The Christian Century, December 25, 2007.
“Funnels Made of Silk,” The Christian Century, October 30, 2007.
“Listen,” The Christian Century, October 2, 2007.
Editor, From a Kid’s Life: A Collection of Poetry by Bromwell Students. Co-Editor, Steve Replogle. Denver, CO: Paros Press. 2004.
“Cuyahoga County, November,” Anglican Theological Review, Fall 2004, Vol. 86, No. 4.
“Now,” The Christian Century, October 18, 2003.
“Ash Wednesday, New Gambier Road,” Anglican Theological Review, Spring 2003, Vol. 85, No. 2.
“Visitation,” The Christian Century, December 13, 2000.

Readings and Exhibitions

“The Unbinding.” Poets Laureate of Lawrence. Theater at the Fort, Lawrence, IN, November 26, 2019. Featured Poet.
“The Unbinding.” Marian University, Indianapolis, IN, November 22, 2019. Featured Poet.
“Numbers,” with choreography and dance by Missy Thompson. The World We Live(d) In, an exhibition in Spirit and Place’s R/Evolution, hosted by the JCC, Indianapolis, IN, November 10, 2019.
“Filled with Ladders, the World.” Festival of Faiths, Veterans Memorial Plaza, Indianapolis, IN, September 22, 2019.
“Filled with Ladders, the World.” St. Paul’s on the Way/Broad Ripple Art Walk, Indianapolis, IN, August 15, 2019.
“Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship Exhibition,” Arts Council of Indianapolis (NEA Affiliate). Indianapolis Art Center, April 19, 2019.
“No Limits: Honoring National Poetry Month” WFYI Public Radio (NPR Member Station), Indianapolis, IN, April 2, 2019.
“World Poetry Day.” Marian University, Indianapolis, IN, March 21, 2019. Keynote Speaker.
“Brick Street South Poetry Reading.” Tube Factory, Indianapolis, IN, May 16, 2018.
“National Poetry Month Reading.” Arts Council of Indianapolis (NEA Affiliate). Indianapolis Artsgarden, April 30, 2018.
“Freedom in Telling Your Stories.” Marian University, Indianapolis, IN, April 25, 2018. Director.
“Steak Knife, Wedding Gift.” Poets Laureate of Lawrence. Theater at the Fort, Lawrence, IN, March 27, 2018. Featured Poet.
“Meet an Author, Be an Author.” Indy Author Fair. Indianapolis Central Library, October 14, 2017.
“Typewriter Poets.” Indiana Arts Homecoming. Indiana Arts Commission (NEA Affiliate). Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN, October 5, 2017.
Producer, Twenty Years of Living Water. Directed by Peter Matsoukas. September 3, 2017.
“An Evening with the Muse,” Indiana Writers Center, Indianapolis, IN, July 9, 2017. Featured Poet.
Director, “The Unleavened Bread Cafe: Twenty Years of Living Water.” Indianapolis Central Library, April 4, 2017.
“309.81, the Unbinding” and “Filled with Ladders, the World.” RSA Retrospective, Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University, Indianapolis, IN, August 25, 2016.
“Filled with Ladders, the World.” First Friday Exhibition, Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN, December 4, 2015.
“Dream Indy Community Poem.” Part of Spirit and Place’s Wrestling with the Infinite Indianapolis Artsgarden, Indianapolis, IN, November 13, 2015.
“Asleep, Awake, A Dream.” Part of Spirit and Place’s Wrestling with the Infinite, Indianapolis Artsgarden, Indianapolis, IN, November 7, 2015.
Director, “Voices Unlocked: Soulful Stories from 30^th and Central.” Indianapolis Central Library, Indianapolis, IN, October 20, 2015.
“Filled with Ladders, the World.” Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts, Stories of Genesis Reimagined, hosted by the JCC, Indianapolis, IN, May 14, 2015.
“308.91, the Unbinding.” Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., CICF, with Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN, January 28, 2015.
“Words as Sharp as Broken Glass: Poetry and Domestic Violence.” Dinner and Discussion Series, Marian University, Indianapolis, IN, October 28, 2013.
“No Matter.” Art of the Moving Image & Spoken Word, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Gallery 308, Muncie, IN, October 4, 2008.
“Ex nihilo: The Creator and Creations, Words of the Poet.” Trinity Church Capitol Square, Columbus, OH, April 2, 2003.
“Unfinished, A Found Poem.” Trinity Church Capitol Square, Columbus, OH, September 11, 2002.
“Common Ground: Search for the Word Poetry Series.” Harcourt Parish, Gambier, OH, November 10, 1999.

Workshop Teaching

“Words Matter: Writing in Troubled Times—Refugees Matter.” Indiana Writers Center, Indianapolis, IN, May 7, 2017.
“Words Matter: Writing in Troubled Times—Gender Matters.” Indiana Writers Center, Indianapolis, IN, March 5, 2017.
“Young Writers Workshop,” University of Indianapolis, June 26, 2016.
“The Poetry of Womanhood: Part II.” Indiana Writers Center, Indianapolis, IN, August 5, 2012.
“The Poetry of Womanhood: Part I.” Indiana Writers Center, Indianapolis, IN, April 1, 2012.
“The Odyssey & Poetry Writing.” North Central HS, Indianapolis, IN, November 22, 2011.
“Poetry as Play.” Indiana Writers Center, Indianapolis, IN, October 22, 2011.
“Poetry of the Soul: How Poets Protest the Meaningless Life.” Indiana Writers Center, Indianapolis, IN, June 28, 2008.
“Poetry as a Gateway to Inner Life.” Indiana Writers Center, Indianapolis, IN, October 20, 2007.
“The Building Blocks of Poetry.” Bromwell Elementary School, Denver, CO, 2005.
“The Poetry of Place,” Littleton High School, Denver, CO, March 15, 2004.
“Poetry Workshops: Inspiration & Generation,” Bromwell Elementary School, Denver, CO, 2003-2004.

Conference Presentations

“Life in These Bones: A Community/University Partnership in a 21st Century Women’s Writing Workshop.” National Conference on Community Writing, Boulder, CO. October 20, 2017.
“The Power of Writing as Art.” Advocating Writers, Indiana Teachers of Writing 34th Annual Fall Conference, Indianapolis, IN. September 26, 2015.
“Different Slants of Light: Poetry Projects in Writing Classrooms.” NCTE Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA. November 20, 2009.

Professional Development

Cuttyhunk Island Writers Residency, Cuttyhunk, MA, September 15-22, 2019.
Poetry Workshop with J.L. Kato, Terry Ofner, Kyle Craig, and Laura Storrs, Indianapolis, IN, Summer 2015-Fall 2018.
Napa Valley Writers’ Conference, Napa Valley, CA, July 23-28, 2017. Studied with Jane Hirshfield.
Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts (a multi-disciplinary scholarly and creative seminar), Butler University, Indianapolis, IN, fall 2014. Led by Rabbi Sandi Sasso.
Napa Valley Writers’ Conference, Napa Valley, CA, July 26-31, 2009. Studied with Elizabeth Alexander.
Poetry Workshop with Renee Ruderman and Cate Wiley, Denver, CO, 2004-2007.
Napa Valley Writers’ Conference, Napa Valley, CA, July 24-29, 2005. Studied with Jane Hirshfield.
Advanced Poetry Workshop, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, January-May 2001. Studied with John Kinsella.
Poetry Workshop with Erin Belieu, Jimmy Kimbrell, and Jeremy Countryman, Gambier, OH, Fall 1999-Spring 2001.
The Kenyon Review Poetry Workshop, Gambier, OH, June 2000. Studied with Erin Belieu.
Advanced Poetry Workshop, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, Jan.-May 2000. Studied with Erin Belieu.
Poetry Writing Workshop, Poetry Center, The Art Institute of Chicago, June-August 1997.
“Renoir and Portraiture in the Impressionist Era,” The Art Institute of Chicago, July 1997.
“Learning to Look,” The Art Institute of Chicago, July 1997.
Art and Creative Writing Workshop, The Art Institute of Chicago, July 1997.
“Westering Peoples: A History of the American West,” Northwestern University Graduate School, Evanston, IL, June-July 1994.
Teaching High School Journalists, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, June-July 1992.

Committee Work

Teacher Education Committee, Marian University, Indianapolis, IN, 2011-May 2019.
Graduate Studies Advisory Council, Marian University, Indianapolis, IN, 2015-2016.

Professional Memberships

Academy of American Poets
Association of Writers and Writing Programs
Poets and Writers

Wendy Marie Vergoz