Lindsey Wilson College 'Orpheus' Literary Journal Features 53 Works of Art, Writing

Photographs, drawings, paintings, poems, fiction and creative nonfiction included in 26th issue of student-produced publication.

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (04/29/2025) — It might be difficult to find an overriding theme in the 26th edition of the Lindsey Wilson College literary journal Orpheus, but it will not be hard to find something to enjoy.

The latest edition of the student-edited journal, which spans 88 pages, features 53 pieces by 34 Lindsey Wilson students. The submissions include art -- photographs, drawings and paintings -- along with poems, fiction and creative nonfiction. The issue, which is available online, was released Monday, April 28, with a late-afternoon reading in the Thomas D. Clark Reading Room of Katie Murrell Library.

English faculty member Caleb Dempsey-Richardson, who has been the journal's faculty editor for the last four issues, said this issue of Orpheus is the "most well-balanced edition (he has overseen) in terms of representing both the visual arts and writing."

Examples of that balance can been seen in The Calm Before the Storm, a stunning picture by Alivia Stines '28 of Columbia; haunting poems by Zachariah Lawson '26 of Williamsburg, Kentucky, that recount struggles with his biological mother; "Mediations," a short essay by exchange student Yejun Choi of Busan, South Korea, on his efforts to deal with emotions; vivid drawings by Tezon Mitchell '27 of Campbellsville, Kentucky; and "Black, Buzzing, Beguiled Spot," a powerful short story by Morgan Bryant '26 of Shelbyville, Kentucky.

"The parameters are pretty wide open to the contributors," said Dempsey-Richardson. "When people feel like they're not cordoned off from artistic aspects of themselves, it creates a more holistically well-rounded anthology."

Dempsey-Richardson said he was especially pleased with how the journal's 10 student editors wrestled with and debated which submissions to include in the issue.

"I've found that encouragement and open collaboration are the best way forward, even through artistic disputes," he said. "Some pieces rated lowly among some editors and exceedingly high among others. When that happens, a great dialogue can be engendered."

Founded in 1999 and named after the poet from Greek mythology who was the son of the god Apollo and the muse Calliope, Orpheus has published every spring, save one year it was put on pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kaleb Humble '25 of Monticello, Kentucky, said his two years serving on the journal's editorial staff helped strengthen his writing.

"I've grown a lot as a writer and as an artist because of that," said Humble, who has three poems in the issue. "I've learned a lot from being part of the process."

Trinity Deaton '26 of Harned, Kentucky, said that serving on the editorial staff "allows you to explore, because you get to see everything everyone submitted, and you really learn more about the people than the pieces."

"It's so interesting to see where people come from and what they produce," said Deaton, whose drawing, Nike's Victory, was included in this year's Orpheus. "It was great to be able to read through so much."

Lindsey Wilson College is a vibrant liberal arts college in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson -- which will become Lindsey Wilson University on July 1 -- has an enrollment of more than 4,000 students, and the college offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The college's 28 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Media Attachments

LWC Orpheus 01

Editors of “Orpheus,” the student-edited literary journal of Lindsey Wilson College, join Faculty Editor Caleb Dempsey-Richardson of the English department in displaying the spring 2025 issue Monday, April 28, in the Thomas D. Clark Reading Room of Katie Murrell Library. From left: Jesse LaGrange ’25 of Burkesville, Kentucky; Kaleb Humble ’25 of Monticello, Kentucky; Dempsey-Richardson; Morgan Bryant ’26 of Shelbyville, Kentucky; Lilly Streeval ’26 of Columbia; and Brendan Dahncke ’25 of Vienna, Illinois.

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Zachariah Lawson ’26 of Williamsburg, Kentucky, left, and Tezon Mitchell ’27 of Campbellsville, Kentucky, are two of the contributors to the 26th edition of “Orpheus,” the student-edited literary journal of Lindsey Wilson College. Lawson and Mitchel were among those who attended the reading of the journal’s spring 2025 issue, held Monday, April 28, in the Thomas D. Clark Reading Room of Katie Murrell Library.

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“Orpheus,” the student-edited literary journal of Lindsey Wilson College has been published every year since it was founded in 1999, save one year it was put on pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kaleb

Humble