La Roche University Literary Society Announces Spring 2026 Events

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 27, 2026 – The La Roche University Literary Society invites the community to two engaging presentations led by distinguished authors this spring. These free events offer opportunities for guests to engage in scholarship, discussion, and a deeper exploration of literary topics. Both presentations will be hosted in the Ryan Room of the Zappala Campus Center on La Roche’s campus in McCandless Township.

Jenny Birch: Woven from Clay
Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.  (postponed)

Rescheduled for Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m.

Jenny Birch will discuss her young adult novel Woven from Clay, a fresh and imaginative contemporary fantasy in which a golem must master the magic that binds her together and finds an unexpected ally in the mysterious boy sent to ensure her demise.

Michele Kirichanskaya notes, “Jenny Birch is a middle school teacher of English, French, and history, and serves as a youth theater director for students in grades 7–12. She lives in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and three children. Jenny holds a BA in French and an MEd in Instruction & Learning, and as an adoptee herself, she is a passionate advocate for children, particularly those in the foster care and adoption communities. When she’s not in her classroom or on stage with her students, you can find her either dancing in the kitchen with her family or flexing her overactive imagination.”

Bethany Jarmul: A Literary Life: Cultivating Curiosity Amidst the Chaos
Friday, Mar. 27 at 7 p.m.  
Writer and poet Bethany Jarmul will present A Literary Life: Cultivating Curiosity Amidst the Chaos, a reflective exploration of why literature and curiosity matter in a world full of noise and distraction. Drawing on her experiences as an Appalachian author whose work has appeared in numerous journals and whose writing has been nominated for honors including the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net, Jarmul’s talk will invite audiences to consider how reading, writing, and creative inquiry can sustain meaning and insight amid life’s uncertainties. In her acclaimed work — including the poetry collection Lightning Is a Mother — she blends lyrical observation with thoughtful engagement on identity, place, and the transformative power of literary imagination.

The Literary Society, initiated at La Roche in the early 1980s, serves as a forum for scholarship and discussion on literature and related issues, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and community engagement. These upcoming presentations continue the Society’s tradition of offering opportunities for dialogue, learning, and inspiration.

For more information, please contact Sister Rita Yeasted at 412-536-1216 or rita.yeasted@laroche.edu.

About La Roche University: An independent liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers 71 undergraduate programs of study, eight master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, cybersecurity and forensics, psychology, nursing, and health and medical sciences as well as interior architecture & design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for women and men enjoying multiple student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.

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