The department would like to congratulate incoming Professor Shastri Akella for his prize-winning short story “The Border Ghosts,” which was called “tender and haunting” by contest judge Ottessa Moshfegh. We would also like to welcome Professor Akella to the department, as he will be joining the faculty for the Fall 2025 semester. Read more about his short story here and view his bio and links to all of his wonderful works of fiction here.