In a recent interview, Owen McGonigle (Class of ‘21) , a Pforzheimer Honors College alumnus, sat down with Honors students Cassie Hasaj (‘26) and Rachel Zachariah (‘24) to share his insights into his time at Pace, his experiences in the Honors College, and his career as a writer and teacher. McGonigle, who studied English Literature and Adolescent Education in English, reflected on his fondest memories, traditions, and the impact of his education in his literary pursuits.
When asked about his time at Pace, from 2017 to 2021, he spoke in regard to the Honors College, as it played the major role in helping shape his experience at Pace. McGonigle mentioned how he felt that “[Honors was] where the community was and where [he] had the most guidance, direction, support, and connections.” Through the experiences offered by the Honors College, McGonigle was able to create some of his fondest memories such as the Honors Trip to Greece, living with all his Honors friends, and being able to participate in events such as Harry Potter movie night. While reliving these memories, McGonigle lit up when asked about his favorite Honors tradition—Harry Potter movie night. He stated how “he loved all of those [nights] and dressing up for them” and “as someone who’s currently rewatching, [he] thinks back on those memories.” McGonigle’s responses not only offered us insight into how he was able to build a career off his own interests, but also the way in which he flourished in a community that was so supportive and tightly knit.
Over the course of his semesters at Pace, McGonigle was not only able to experience the fond memories that came with being a part of Honors, but he was able to reflect on the Pace experience as a whole. Whether it was his favorite residence hall or his involvement on campus, McGonigle expressed his adoration for all the components that contributed to the unique experience that Pace provides. Each residence hall provides a different experience for each student, so when asked about his favorite dorm building, he immediately responded with 33 Beekman. As a little Easter egg to the Pace Community, if you turn to the first page of McGonigle’s first book, Romantically Ill: a collection of lovesick essays (2022), he gives a shoutout to Beekman. Through his involvement on-campus, McGonigle managed to get a head start in his writing career as he often wrote for the Honors Herald Blog and was a member of The Pace Press for two years. On the Pace Press, he worked as an opinion editor, social media manager, and wrote for the romance column, which led to the development of his works which are featured in his first book. These opportunities created pathways for him to explore what styles he liked or didn’t like and laid the foundation for his career as a writer.
Upon releasing his first book in 2022, McGonigle wasted no time and started writing his second book, At a Later Hour, which he released this past December. Honors student interviewer Rachel Zachariah (‘24) took the time to read the book prior to this interview and brought up questions regarding McGonigle’s creative process in developing such a personal piece. McGonigle’s response highlighted the vulnerability it takes to create a work that deals with deeply personal truths involving real people and their emotions. He touched on how mortifying the process of getting your story out can be, since you can’t control other people’s reactions or emotions even though they are valid. Despite his least favorite parts of the process, McGonigle stated how he enjoys being able to “write things he can’t express within himself” and be proud of the fact that he’s confident enough to share it with other people. McGonigle continues to expand on his professional career as he discussed that he is currently working on two new projects while simultaneously receiving his master’s in Literacy at Pace and teaching in Brooklyn.
To conclude our conversation, McGonigle offers a few words of advice to students trying to break out into the field as he stated “I had to realize that everyone’s style and everyone’s voice is different, and just because I’m not writing the next masterpiece doesn’t mean someone won’t gravitate towards it. Write what you write and put out what you have.” McGonigle’s career serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and community. The way he carries himself as a writer, graduate student, and teacher exemplifies the sheer drive and effort it takes to reach such surmountable heights in a highly competitive field. His ability to balance these demanding roles speaks volumes about his work ethic, passion for learning, and commitment to making a difference both in academia and beyond.
Watch Owen’s interview for yourself! Link below: