Volume 1981 Parnassus

Forward

The 1981 Parnassus is a celebration of creation. Genesis states that “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him.” Man, the supreme triumph of God’s making, is made by God like God. Man, like God, takes pleasure in his ability to create and in his creation. Finite man creates buildings, books, songs, and poems. Infinite God, in contrast, creates galaxies, universes, growing things, and living creatures. However much man’s work pales into insignificance beside the work of God, there is a connection. Man’s work, however defective or limited, is an expression of his very nature—the nature that God created. Man’s art is, indubitably, an expression of God’s work. It is with the thought that Art and Nature are intrinsically related that we present these “created” pieces to the reader.

The reader should also know that Parnassus is the result of student responses to the Parnassus Literary Contest sponsored by Taylor’s Department of English. This year, special thanks go to S.G.O. for providing prize money for the winning pieces. As true of the first contest in 1980, this year’s contest stimulated an excellent response from students competing in four categories: poetry, short story, essay, and photography. The photography winners, although their fine entries are not reproduced here, were Jo Stark and Reggie Metzger. The literary winners of this contest are acknowledged at the end of this publication.

Also to be acknowledged for their tireless contribution to Parnassus are the members of the editorial staff. Susan Shank and Martha Palmer served as co-editors. Richard Richmond served as a contributing artist, and he as well as Craig Rupp and Allen Meier served as members of the editorial board. Rhonda Gretillat, secretary par excellence, typed the copy. Merci.