By Dominic DiIorio

Staff Writer

MARPLE, Pa. — The semester’s final “Talk to Us Tuesday,” which features a different club for each event, was held at Delaware County Community College on Nov. 11, 2025, in the Student Center from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event was sponsored by the Creative Writing Club, with more than 30 participants gathered to listen to and welcome special guest Dr. Danny Hoey, the new Vice President of Student Affairs.

Hoey discussed his own personal life and literary works, which included personal poems and story segments from his published book, “The Butterfly Lady.” This event, like previous “Talk to Us Tuesdays,” centered on the club’s mission. The Creative Writing Club focuses on creating an open space for students to explore their authentic voices through writing and literature.

Photos Courtesy of Andrea Tucker

The conversation naturally evolved into a candid discussion about the writing life. Students in the club were able to learn lessons about the non-linear nature of a creative and literary career by listening to Hoey’s own path as a writer. This included the story from his undergraduate days at Ohio State, where a professor steered him in the right direction regarding what kind of writing he should pursue. Hoey emphasized the importance of writing, showing how it can be a very powerful tool used “to make sense of the world.” He ended by stating, “Write what you know, but also pay deep attention to the things you don’t know.”

After Hoey’s presentation, students took part in the conversation by asking deeper questions that dealt with the intersection of authenticity and identity in the art of writing. One student asked, “Has being a Black individual affected your writing and journey as a writer throughout your educational career?”

Dr. Hoey responded by speaking about his experiences as an English major, specifically highlighting the challenges of being a Black man in predominantly white academic spaces. He shared how those moments in his life, fueled by subtle racism and the need for validation, “ultimately drove me towards higher education and inspired my writing to illustrate a determined pursuit of spaces that respect and value my inherent self.”

Another student in the club asked, “What are some of your biggest literary inspirations that have affected your writing in your own work?”

Hoey praised Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” for its “authentic portrayal of the Black community, both the triumphs and the struggles.” He also mentioned Jesmyn Ward’s “Salvage the Bones” and Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man,” adding, “even though I have some disagreements when it comes to Ellison.”

The discussions concluded after an in-depth round of questions. Many of the remaining attendees approached Hoey for more private, one-on-one conversations, showing great interest in his words.

Ciara Holahan, President of the Creative Writing Club, reflected on the opportunity to engage with Dr. Hoey. “The event was a great opportunity to discuss literature and poetry with like-minded individuals,” she said in an email. “It was a pleasure to meet and speak with Dr. Hoey; he was very insightful and had a lot of advice to offer when it comes to writing and even just making it through life in general. Given this experience, I would absolutely recommend future ‘Talk to Us Tuesday’ events to anyone who is interested in gaining different perspectives or would like an open space to share their thoughts.”

As Dr. Hoey departed, he offered the club a final thought that perfectly summarized the event’s spirit: “My chief purpose in life is to be a redemptive influencer who models a unique brand of emotional authenticity that seeks to build bridges, share stories and heal hearts in a manner that emboldens others to do the same.”