On September 19, 2024, Lone Star College-Montgomery welcomed members of the campus and the community to a momentous occasion celebrating the 25th anniversary of SWIRL, the campus literature and arts magazine. The event took place at the Mary Matteson-Parrish Art Gallery from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., inviting guests to honor the legacy of creativity that SWIRL has fostered over the years.
The evening featured the unveiling of the 2024 edition of SWIRL, which showcases the exceptional talents of students, staff, and faculty from across the campus. Attendees enjoyed reflections from Dr. Kyle Scarborough, a family practitioner from Conroe and a contributor to SWIRL’s first edition, who shared insights on the evolution of the magazine and its impact on the campus community.
Guests experienced live poetry readings that highlighted the dynamic voices of SWIRL's student authors and artists, celebrating the diverse perspectives and innovative expressions found within the magazines’ pages. Another highlight included a display of past issues on exhibit, allowing attendees to explore the rich history of SWIRL, which has served as a platform for artistic expression since its introduction in 1999.
Each attendee received a complimentary copy of the SWIRL 2024 magazine to take home. Light refreshments were enjoyed as the community came together to honor the creativity and spirit that is reflected on Lone Star College-Montgomery’s campus.
Darren Longman, SWIRL’s Executive Editor and professor at LSC-Montgomery, shared the vision for the magazine and its impact on students. “Our primary goal is to continue providing a space for students, staff, and faculty to publish their creative ideas as well as giving student editors a chance to learn the publication process. While the last edition of SWIRL was led primarily by faculty, this edition brought back a student committee to work alongside faculty editors for a more collaborative publication.” SWIRL continues to provide students with the opportunity to translate their ideas to print, serving as an invaluable addition to their resumes, websites, or transfer packets. Lone Star College-Montgomery appreciates the support of all those who attended and celebrated such a significant milestone. The college looks forward to continuing to foster an environment where creativity can flourish, and the voices of students and faculty can be celebrated!
For additional information about Lone Star College-Montgomery’s Literature and Arts Journal and to view the 2024 edition of SWIRL, please visit LoneStar.edu/SWIRL.