Emma Bennett—Staff writer 

Previous Dordt University graduates knew writing has never been confined to an English major or minor; anyone who has a passion for poetry, storytelling, or a good persuasive essay can write to their heart’s delight. However, students may have difficulty finding the time or motivation to practice without accountability. 

About five or six years ago, Dordt had a designated club for the community of writers on campus. But the club faded away as the members graduated and moved on. The community had disappeared until Monday, Oct. 17, when student government approved the new D’Writing Fellowship. 

The idea to re-instate the club started spring semester of last year when Dordt graduate Anna Jordan, now Anna Ewald, returned to campus to discuss writing over lunch with the English department. When she mentioned the club and what it did to help her and her fellow writers, sophomores Ethan Mulder and Philip Shippy found themselves inspired. 

“We emailed back and forth for the rest of the semester, and a little over the summer,” Mulder said. 

At the department fair during Week of Welcome, Mulder and Shippy notified the English department about their idea to bring back a writing club. Professor Howard Schaap volunteered to be the patron, a role he had previously held for the writing club. 

“It was pretty casual.” Schaap said. “Just friends meeting together to write [and] to try and have an intentional time.” 

The club is in the process of organizing a designated meeting time. Members are excited about the return of a campus writing community. 

“Everyone knows the power of a really good book.” Freshman writing major Billy Varble said. “Writing can bring people to unity and to God. I don’t need to be in the writing club to publish, but being in the writing club pushes me to write.” 

Contributed photo