Spalding MFA Alumni
Opportunities for Graduates
Our alumni association has a website and newsletter, called SOARING. See http://www.spaldingmfaalum.com. The association also maintains a Facebook page for alumni, students, and faculty.
During each spring residency we have a Homecoming weekend, where alumi can visit with each other, students, faculty,
and staff. During the Homecoming the program provides a variety of special events, such as Life after MFA talks, social gatherings, lectures, panels discussions, readings, and other events. The alumni assocation sponsors a reading Celebration of Recently Published Books by Alumni, where our alumni read from recently published books, followed by a book signing. In May 2008 and May 2009 we had seven alums reading at this event.
At each residency about eight Post Graduate Residency Assistants, who are alumni, are selected to attend. These PRGAs assist with Workshops and help the MFA staff in many ways. At the end of the week, they participate in a public reading of their own work-in-progress. We continue to look for ways to support our alumni; it is a goal of our Program.
Through Blackbaord, alumni have a discussion board where they can keep informed of one another's activities and discuss books, craft issues, other topics of interest, and find deadlines for contests and about other publishing opportunities. Through online writing groups, alumni may exchange materials and critiques. Other groups of alums have begun writing groups and book discussions in their regional areas.
Alumni and guests may attend summer residencies as vacationers. Future international destinations are for 2010 Buenos Aires; 2011 Northern Italy; 2012 Paris; and 2013 Greece. Other proposed destinations are Dublin, Prague, Ontario, Vienna, and New York.
In summer 2010, join us for a leisurely exploration of Buenos Aires, Argentina, from June 21-July 3.
The 2010 Summer Alumni Trip to Buenos Aires, June 21-July 3
We expect to post information about Buenos Aires by October 2009.
For information about participating in the residency as a residency-only student, contact Karen atkmann@spalding.edu. Residency-only students are included if space is available in the workshop and participate in the residency as any student. The fee is $1,300. A few post-graduate residency assistants are included in the residencies abroad; the compensation is the optional package for meals and certain tickets. PGRAs do not participate in Workshops but may attend other curriculum sessions and are expected to assist in administrative ways.
A travel deposit of $500 per person is due March 6. The balance is due April 24.Cancellation policy: Cancellation between 
March 6 and April 23 will result in the forfeiture of the $500 deposit. Cancellation between April 24 and May 22 will result in forfeiture of 35% of the entire cost of the trip per person; between May 22 and June 5, 50%. Cancellation from June 6 up to the time of departure will result in forfeiture of the entire cost of the trip.
Travel Insurance
Spalding University strongly recommends you protect your travel investment with a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Many travel insurance policies provide a spectrum of coverage, including trip cancellation/ interruption, baggage loss, medical, accident and evacuation. WE RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE AT A MINIMUM. (Note that Medicare and certain other insurance policies do not cover medical insurance abroad.) Travel insurance may be purchased easily and quickly via the Internet.
For information about travel insurance providers, visit Travel Insurance Select, Travelex, or the travel insurance provider of your choice. Enroll early (within 15 days of paying your trip deposit) for maximum benefits with Travel Insurance Select or Travelex.
Passport Information
Passport: The length of time it takes to receive a new or renewed passport can be unpredictable. We recommend you check the status of your passport now and, if needed, apply for a new or renewed passportimmediately. For more information, visit http://travel.state.gov.
For information on travel tips to destinations abroad visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html
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last updated 8-13-09
MFA in Writing
Spalding University
851 S. Fourth St.
Louisville, KY 40203
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