Karl Jirgens

Beyond the classroom: The many pursuits of Karl Jirgens

portrait of Karl Jirgens on campusProfessor emeritus Karl Jirgens, founder of the international literary journal Rampike, continues to write, create visual art and participate in scholarly work beyond the classroom. (KYLE ARCHIBALD/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

Long before Karl Jirgens earned a PhD, founded an international literary journal or stepped into a university classroom, a high school teacher helped him see writing in a different light.

“Writing is just another medium with its own peculiarities,” he says, recalling a lesson from high school teacher Alan Bevan that would help shape a career spanning literature, publishing, visual art and education.

An ongoing dialogue: Baxter&, Jirgens and the community that connects them

photo of Iain and Karl standing side-by-side on campusUniversity of Windsor professors emeriti Iain Baxter& and Karl Jirgens have built a friendship rooted in art, writing and collaboration. Their creative partnership continues through projects, conversations and activities supported by the Windsor University Retirees' Association. (KYLE ARCHIBALD /University of Windsor)

By Victor Romao

It’s a Thursday afternoon at Sunset House. Conversations shift from art and literature to technology, politics and the changing landscape of higher education.

Ideas are exchanged, stories and perspectives shared and a steady rhythm of curiosity fills the meeting room.

For members of the Windsor University Retirees’ Association (WURA), retirement is not an ending. It signals the start of something new.