Hard Freight is Penn State Altoona's literary arts magazine, combining the best student writing in nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, with stunning visual art. The magazine's name refers to Altoona's long history with the railroad industry and its culture. Hard Freight is edited and produced by Penn State Altoona students, and students may register for English 209 to receive credit for this experience. Interested in submitting your work, visit our submissions page.
Hard Freight Open Mic Café
In addition to our online magazine, an open mic Hard Freight Café is held once a semester. The event, which is open to the campus and community, provides students with an opportunity to showcase their writing, music, and other performances. Dates will be announced in advance.
More than 100 people attended the fall 2022 Hard Freight Café open mic event on Tuesday, November 29, in the Titelman Study of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. Students and faculty performed music and shared poems, stories, and essays. Kicking off the evening was a reading by Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, professor of Spanish and African Studies, who read from his debut novel, The Restless Crucible. The event was sponsored by Hard Freight, Penn State Altoona's student literary arts magazine.
The audience listens to Professor Patricia Jabbeh Wesley introduce featured readerr Yaw Agawu-Kakraba.
Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, professor of English, introduces featured reader Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, professor of Spanish and African Studies
Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, professor of Spanish and African Studies, reads from his debut novel, The Restless Crucible
Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, professor of Spanish and African Studies, signs copies of his debut novel
Jeannette Lang, assistant teaching professor of English, performs a song
Maya Connell performs an original song
Student Aidan Pellegrino, editor-in-chief of Hard Freight, reads an original poem
Student Danielle West-Habjanetz reads an original essay
Student Ember Brown reads an original story
Student Evan Smith reads an original poem
Student Hannah Gabrielle reads a poem
Student Hollie Keller reads from her memoir about her mother
Student Kaylie Smith reads a poem
Student Maddy Colello performs an original song
Student Makaylah Bangura reads a poem
Student Marissa Ebersole reads a poem
Student Nia Hubbard raps an original spoken word poem
Student Rivka Wolin reads a poem
Student Rose Ried reads an original essay
Student Ryan Gladwin reads a poem
Student Shannette Wahor reads a poem
Student Taylor Greco reads a poem
Student Yeyya Wane reads a poem
The audience listens to a student reading
The audience listens to student Emma Moniz read her original short story
Tom Liszka, emeritus professor of English, reads a poem by Emily Dickinson
Several attendees perform freestyle rap after the event
