Featured Post from Southern Utah University

A Must-Read this Summer - It Needs to Look Like we Tried

Jun 26, 2018

2 min

Todd Robert PetersenKyle William Bishop

Everyone has a dream, an idea, a goal. But what happens when those desires are thwarted, when dreams and goals fall apart? In his new novel, It Needs to Look Like We Tried, Dr. Todd Robert Petersen, Director of Project-Based Learning at Southern Utah University, explores the ways in which our failures work on the lives of others, weaving an intricate web of interconnected stories.


The novel follows a fastidious man that takes a detour on the way to his father’s wedding, kicking off a series of events that ricochets from the bride to her real estate clients; to a crazed former homeowner and his sister-in-law’s reality TV lover; to a hoarding family whose lives are wrecked by their appearance on the second-rate show.


“I would say that the book is about failure and life-changing events,” said Dr. Petersen. “But I should add that it’s also a comedic book.”


Dr. Petersen has been writing seriously for roughly 25 years. He published poems and stories in the early 2000s and sold his first book, Long After Dark, in 2007. His next novel, Rift, was released in 2009. Petersen already has plans for his fourth book, Picnic in the Ruins, which is set for release in Spring of 2020.


Dr. Kyle Bishop, Associate Professor of English and Honors Program Academic Coordinator at Southern Utah University thinks everyone should be reading It Needs to Look Like We Tried this summer.


“It's the latest novel from an SUU faculty member, and it is already generating a lot of critical buzz and praise. He uniquely presents a number of interlinked short stories about unusual people in extraordinary situations.”


Dr. Todd Petersen has worked as a YMCA assistant program director, literary journal editor, and English professor. Currently, he serves as director of an award-winning experiential learning program at Southern Utah University. He is familiar with the media and available for an interview. Simply visit his profile.


Source:




Connect with:
Todd Robert Petersen

Todd Robert Petersen

Professor of English

Specializing in formal structures of visual storytelling, creative writing, film theory, and aesthetics

Traditional and Contemporary Models of Successful WritingCreative Writing TechniquesComing-of-Age StorytellingProject-Based Learning in HIgher EducationProject Management
Kyle William Bishop

Kyle William Bishop

Chair and Professor of English Department

Specializing in British Gothic literature, film and television studies, cinematic adaptation, and pop culture

Video GamesVisual LiteracySaxophoneAmerican StudiesMusic

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Southern Utah University

2 min

Billion dollar business - does winning matter anymore in the NFL?

A recent rankings released by Sportco earlier this month showed that the Dallas Cowboys have come the first sports franchise to hit the 10 billion dollar mark. It was announcement that took the sports media by storm. The Cowboys, owned by Jerry Jones, were valued at $10.32 billion, far and away the most valuable franchise in the league and an increase of over a billion dollars on the previous estimate of $9.2 billion in February. Jones, 81, purchased ‘America’s Team’ in 1989 for an estimated $140 million (roughly $355 million in 2024) and has turned the organization into a financial powerhouse. Also serving as the team’s general manager, he oversaw initial success and helped create one of the 90s’ most dominant teams, winning the Super Bowl in the 1992, 1993 and 1995 seasons. However, the Cowboys have struggled to replicate that magic in recent years and have only mustered five playoff wins in the 28 years since they last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Most recently, Dallas suffered an embarrassing loss in the Wild Card round against the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 postseason, despite finishing as the second seed in the NFC and having MVP runner-up Dak Prescott on the roster. August 14 - CNN Professional sports is big business. No longer are legacy teams family-owned but most franchises are now conglomerates or essentially companies that operate like any other in corporate America. As franchises continue to evolve - what's changed? Does winning championships matter anymore? Have TV and streaming deals made seats sales less relevant? Does location matter anymore for local fanbases? Will this bubble one day burst? There are a lot of questions out there and if you're looking for an expert to help with your coverage - we can help. Dr. David Berri has spent the last two decades researching sports and economics, while publishing works on a variety of topics including the evaluation of players and coaches, competitive balance, the drafting of players, labor disputes, the NCAA, gender wage gap in sports, and distribution of wealth and power. Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

3 min

Dr. Kevin Stein Receives Fulbright Specialist Award to Spain at Universidad de Murcia

Southern Utah University is pleased to announce Dr. Kevin A. Stein has received a Fulbright Specialist Award to consult as an expert in communication and journalism at the Universidad de Murcia in Spain. Dr. Stein is a professor of communication, director of the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program, liaison for the SUU Office of International Affairs, and published author.  His project will aim to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions and communities both in the U.S. and overseas through a variety of educational and training activities within the field of communication. "It is such a tremendous honor at this stage of my career to be deemed worthy of a Fulbright Specialist Award,” said Stein. “I've worked with several Fulbright Scholars over the years and have always aspired to do what they've done in creating meaningful cultural connections between SUU and our partner universities abroad." Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected based on academic and professional achievement, as well as a record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields. The Fulbright Program is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Dr. Stein joins over 800 U.S. citizens who will teach, conduct research, and/or provide expertise abroad for the 2024-2025 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Having grown up in a culturally diverse region of central California, Dr. Stein finds the opportunities provided by this award very personally important to him. "My Jewish bloodline makes me particularly sensitive to the intolerance and racial strife facing many regions of the world,” said Stein. “Because of this strong sense of my own heritage, I believe I have an inherent desire to generate understanding and sensitivity between people of differing cultures.” Stein’s expertise mainly focuses on the rhetoric of attack (kategoria), defense (apologia) and persuasive responses to defense (antapologia). He has published numerous articles addressing a variety of apologetic contexts, as well as books and peer-reviewed articles on different types of political campaign messages. He is the webmaster for Public Apology Central, which archives crisis summaries, transcripts, videos and audio of public apologies (apologia) of public figures in all facets of media. Dr. Stein has presented his academic work at regional, national and international conferences, including presentations at the University of Athens in Greece and the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. While on a year-long sabbatical in China, Dr. Stein directed the American Studies Center at Hunan Normal University in Changsha. Since then he has returned several times as a liaison for the SUU Office of International Affairs and as a teacher in a dual degree communication program offered by Wuhan Polytechnic University and SUU. Dr. Stein has since spent his time directing the MAPC program and participating in SUU's innovative Jumpstart program, which had seven faculty from different disciplines teaching freshmen students all their general education classes as one cohort. “I would like my students to learn the basic theories and research methods in our field and to apply those skills in professional communication industries,” said Stein. “When they leave our program they should be masters in the construction and critical analysis of messages, whether they be in public relations, journalism, politics or business.” Other SUU faculty members who have received the Fulbright Scholar Award include David Schwalb (Ukraine), Jim Aton (China and Indonesia), Jon Smith (Portugal and Swaziland) and Bryce Christensen (Taiwan). Interested in learning more about Dr. Stein's work?  Simply click on his icon now to connect and arrange an interview today.

2 min

Rita Osborn Recognized by National Rural Health Association

Rita Osborn, MBA, has been named this year's Outstanding Educator by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). This award is given to an individual who has dedicated their time and talents to improving the health and well-being of others. Osborn and other awardees will be honored during the NRHA’s 47th Annual Rural Health Conference on May 9, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana. “We’re extremely proud of this year’s winners, particularly because of the additional challenges rural health professionals face as we navigate unique and ever-changing environments,” said NRHA CEO Alan Morgan. “They have each made tremendous strides to advance rural health care, and we’re confident they will continue to help improve the lives of rural Americans.” Osborn is the Utah Center for Rural Health Executive Director based at Southern Utah University (SUU). In addition, she leads the Rural Health Association of Utah and directs the Southwest Utah Area Health Education Program. In the quarter-century she has spent promoting health education, Osborn founded the Rural Utah Health Scholars Program that assists students pursuing health careers, and she continues to be instrumental in assisting medical professionals who wish to practice in rural areas. "I am humbled by this award and appreciate colleagues who nominated me, along with supportive members of my team," Osborn said. "I have enjoyed helping students pursue careers in health care, and it brings me even greater satisfaction when they choose to practice in rural Utah." The Utah Center for Rural Health works to promote and enhance the quality of rural health through leadership, advocacy, coalition building and education, and to affect policy and legislation. Looking to know more about rural health?  Then let us help. Ria Osborne is available to speak with media - simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.

View all posts
Powered by