English Major Spotlight: Isaac Leer

Year: Junior
Hometown: Northfield, MN

Why did you choose to major in English?

I'm lucky enough to have had some outstanding English professors throughout my academic career that have made me feel valued within the department while still pushing me in all the right ways. My parents were originally both English teachers, and they impressed upon me the importance of engaging with literature. I knew that a degree in English would allow me to do that at a high level while also expanding my communication and people skills, both of which are crucial for any job today.

What has been your favorite part of your experience in the department? 

The built-in community. Every English class I take has at least a few fellow majors that I know from other classes, so I always feel welcome. When I first entered the department, I was worried about feeling lost in the enormous College of Liberal Arts, but the English department has proved to be a smaller world.

Are you pursuing any majors, minors, internships, or interests outside your English major? 

I'm pursuing a BFA in acting in addition to my English degree, and the two go hand-in-hand. Both areas of study involve a lot of text analysis, reading, and critical discussion, but they stimulate my brain in different ways. The skills I have learned as an English major contribute to a deeper understanding of the text I work on as an actor, and performance experience can provide insight into a writer's intention and rhythm.

What is a favorite book you read for a UMN English class? 

The Hiawatha by David Treuer.

What is your favorite thing about Pillsbury Hall? 

There is something special about going to class in a building that looks like a castle.

If you studied abroad, what did you take away from the experience? 

As I write this, I am in London on a study abroad program through the acting BFA. Already I can tell that I've become more independent and assertive. It has been so exciting to immerse myself in theater and literature in the city that produced some of the best. After taking the department’s surveys of British literature, it was exciting to visit some of the locations that I've read about and imagine life there in the past. I'll be abroad for another month, and I have no doubt I'll continue to grow as a student and person.