Graduate Spotlight: Crafting stories at Lipscomb

Award-winning English major Kearra Weiting looks to write about music and politics on her journey to law school.

Keely Hagan | 615-966-6491 | 04/24/2024

Kearra Weiting, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is set to graduate with a B.A. in English on May 4, a significant milestone on her academic journey that began at Nashville State Community College. Her transfer to Lipscomb was inspired by the impression made on her by Lipscomb President Candice McQueen, who spoke at her Nashville State graduation ceremony.

"She was the guest speaker at my graduation two years ago," Weiting says, "and she'll be at my graduation again in May!"

During her time at Lipscomb, Weiting has been actively involved in various projects, including helping to build a social media presence for the Department of English and Modern Languages and writing a newsletter for alumni and prospective students.

Her achievements extend beyond campus as well; she recently placed first in the creative nonfiction category at the Southern Literary Festival in Oxford, Mississippi, and was published in the annual anthology. She also had a paper accepted for the prestigious Sigma Tau Delta National Honors Society conference in St. Louis this spring.

"I wouldn't be the writer I am today without Lipscomb," Weiting reflects. "I firmly believe God steered me in Lipscomb's direction. It's difficult for me to imagine finding the same support and expertise at any other institution."

Weiting says she has been deeply influenced by several faculty members, notably English professors Jan Harris and Dana Carpenter. Emphasizing the importance of creative writers taking technical writing courses, she credits adjunct faculty Kirsten Boatwright for "challenging me more than any other professor, pushing me to expand my knowledge and capabilities far beyond what I believed possible."

Weiting's independence and resilience have been notable throughout her college journey, having largely supported herself. Despite this, she found a supportive community at Lipscomb with faculty members who were instrumental in connecting her with campus resources and offering guidance. "My professors respected my independence, but they noticed when I've struggled in the past," she says.

Looking ahead, Weiting is set to move to Tallahassee, Florida, where she plans to delve into writing about music, politics and Southern culture. She aspires to publish poetry and more creative nonfiction and has her sights set on attending Florida State University's School of Law after establishing residency.

As Weiting reflects on reaching this significant milestone, she describes the feeling as "bittersweet."

"I am beyond ecstatic to utilize the skills Lipscomb bestowed upon me, but I'm going to miss our incredible community," she says. "I'm going to miss Tennessee, but I won't be a stranger."

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