Will Haslam

B.A. in English
Minor in Creative Writing
Graduating in April 2024

I'm an appreciator of music and the literary arts! I read and write a lot of poetry, and I post what I write on my Instagram page @w.h.haslam. I discovered this passion in a high school creative writing class and I came to love it even more after taking a BYU poetry class. I've played the violin classically and I've dabbled in the bluegrass fiddling styles native to my hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. I've also played the bass guitar in a few bands, including the BYU-born Feudal Mars.

Professionally, I would love to become an English professor one day. To be honest, the biggest reason why is because professors are sometimes permitted/expected to publish their own work. As one who loves writing poetry, I think being a professor would be the perfect opportunity to publish poetry while still having a stable job. That being said, it’s also true that I want to help students catch the same passion for literature that I feel. I also enjoy mentoring people and helping them reach their potential—one of the purposes of being a teacher.

What is something people might not know about you?
Something a little nerdy is that I can speak fluent backwards. Give me a word and I can repeat it backwards.

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?
I joined the Honors program largely because of the amazing course offerings. My 227 class last winter was one of my favorite classes to date. I was also attracted to the boost the Honors Program can give an applicant for grad school, which is part of my plan for becoming an English professor someday.

What has been your favorite part of your Honors Experience?
I've loved the discipline crossover experience integral to Honors courses. My Honors Race and Music class taught me more about both subjects than I could have learned studying those subjects separately.

What is your next step in Honors?
Next, I'm looking forward to taking more baseline Honors courses that commingle usually separate disciplines.