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    1. UNG
    2. News

    UNG English professor publishes book about student-athletes

    March 19, 2018
    Dr. Michael Rifenburg, associate professor of English at the University of North Georgia, said writing his book was an amazing experience and is proud of his effort to help others understand the way student-athletes learn. The book "The Embodied Playbook: Writing Practices of Student-Athletes," will be available in May 2018.

    Article By: Staff

    As a graduate student in the mid-2000s, Dr. Michael Rifenburg tutored Division I freshman football players with their writing skills. It was no easy task.

    "I can remember seeing a wide receiver struggling to find Microsoft Word on a computer and typing a complete sentence," said Rifenburg, associate professor of English at the University of North Georgia (UNG). "Then I started thinking about the reading and writing he does for his sport and how I could take his knowledge of that and apply it in the classroom to transform him into a better writer."

    Rifenburg devised a plan. He took the same process of how student-athletes learn plays and implemented it in his writing class.

    For example, when football players learn plays, they ask "Who is the play for?" and "Why are we running this play?" Rifenburg said.  In class, he asked similar questions: "Why are you bringing up this idea?" and "How are you adapting it to your audience or reader?"

    Fast-forward to 2018 and Rifenburg’s concept evolved into his recently published book "The Embodied Playbook: Writing Practices of Student-Athletes," available from Utah State University Press in May 2018.

    Rifenburg said writing the book was an amazing experience and is proud of his effort to help others understand the way student-athletes learn.

    Contact the Author

    UNG hosts Music Major for a Day event

    UNG hosts Music Major for a Day event

    Nearly 150 Georgia high school students participated in the second annual Music Major for a Day event on Sept. 20, gaining insight into life as a Nighthawk at the Dahlonega Campus.
    Groups collaborate on Pauli Murray events

    Groups collaborate on Pauli Murray events

    Four groups within UNG are collaborating in "Song of Pauli Murray," to highlight American Pauli Murray. The events will be at the Gainesville Campus Oct. 5 and Oct. 24, at the Dahlonega Campus Nov. 2 and a Nov. 1 Zoom talk.
    Bayeux Tapestry replica on campus in September

    Bayeux Tapestry replica on campus in September

    A replica of the Bayeux Tapestry will be on display at UNG's Convocation Center Sept. 26-28. The painted textile visually captures the story of the Battle of Hastings, a military conflict that turned the tide of British and European history in 1066.
    NGHS renews support of UNG Athletics

    NGHS renews support of UNG Athletics

    Northeast Georgia Health System has renewed its support of UNG Athletics for another five years and will also support a wide array of other programs at the university through the partnership.

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