Bigger Boat Series
by Jess Currier
Some might question how the Bigger Boat series at Cape Cod Community College (4C’s) got its name. Michael Fournier, one of the professors who made the series happen, said that after some brainstorming, the name was given as a reference to the ‘Jaws’ the movie. “We liked the idea of the series having an inclusive vibe.” Fournier said. Michael Fournier, Rebecca Griffin, and Thomas Schaefer are the 4C’s professors that are behind the magic of the Bigger Boat series. This semester is expected to be a lively one for the series.
“We have Phuc Tran lined up for Tuesday 11/9 at 6:30 p.m.” Said Fournier, “He is the author of ‘Sigh, Gone’, a memoir. Doug Holder will be by, in person, in December.” Holder is a professor and poet, who also holds many writing accomplishments. The Bigger Boat series is often on the same day as creative writing classes, allowing the visiting author to attend class and interact with students.
Fournier, Schaefer, and Griffin all schedule events together. Fournier explained their process as “we each have our own Rolodexes, so to speak.” These professors all have many connections in the writing community. In the case of the upcoming guest, Phuc Tran, Fournier had read his memoir and was thoroughly impressed.
Phuc Tran
“He articulated his search for self-identity both as a young Vietnamese man in America, and as a fledgling punk rocker in a conservative town in Pennsylvania” Fournier said.
Cathleen McCarron, Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Adult Education, had the idea to activate the Bigger Boat series, thinking it would be a wonderful resource for the college and community. The events continue to be well attended, and the fact that students get to interact with the guest writers makes the process of writing seem, in Fournier’s words, “more democratic.”
“Having a chance for writers to share tips and tricks is one of the best things about Bigger Boat.” Said Fournier, “The other thing is our opportunity to offer a wide swatch of diverse readers to the community at large, and this diversity helps us learn.”
McCarron believes the Bigger Boat series provides a vast impact on the 4C’s community. “The model for Bigger Boat is that published authors offer a master class to 4Cs' students either in the Creative Writing class or Poetry class,” said McCarron, “then give a public reading later that evening to students, faculty, staff, and the greater community” She spoke highly of the three professors, who are also writers, leading the series at the college. They are fully committed to the series and find diverse writers across the country. The series continues to get a wider and wider audience. McCarron realized this when a poet from Oregon contacted Schaefer asking to read at the series. Student writers also get featured at each Bigger Boat events.
“Bigger Boat provides an opportunity to showcase our student writers and communicate to the greater community how vibrant our arts and literature programming is.” McCarron said. The Bigger Boat series helps the students and community comprehend a writer's life. Students who like writing might get a glimpse into their future. One day they may even be highlighted.
Categories: Events, Arts & Entertainment