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Hard Freight Literary Arts Magazine

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 reader Yaw Agawu-Kakraba

The audience listens to Professor Patricia Jabbeh Wesley introduce featured readerr Yaw Agawu-Kakraba.

Credit: Penn State
HF Cafe Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, professor of English, introduces featured reader Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, professor of Spanish and African Studies

Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, professor of English, introduces featured reader Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, professor of Spanish and African Studies

Credit: Penn State
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, reads from his debut novel, The Restless Crucible

Credit: Penn State
Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, professor of Spanish and African Studies, signs copies of his debut novel

Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, professor of Spanish and African Studies, signs copies of his debut novel

Credit: Penn State
Jeannette Lang, assistant teaching professor of English, performs a song

Jeannette Lang, assistant teaching professor of English, performs a song

Credit: Penn State
Maya Connell performs an original song

Maya Connell performs an original song

Credit: Penn State
Student Aidan Pellegrino, editor-in-chief of Hard Freight, reads an original poem

Student Aidan Pellegrino, editor-in-chief of Hard Freight, reads an original poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Danielle West-Habjanetz reads an original essay

Student Danielle West-Habjanetz reads an original essay

Credit: Penn State
Student Ember Brown reads an original story

Student Ember Brown reads an original story 

Credit: Penn State
Student Evan Smith reads an original poem

Student Evan Smith reads an original poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Hannah Gabrielle reads a poem

Student Hannah Gabrielle reads a poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Hollie Keller reads from her memoir about her mother

Student Hollie Keller reads from her memoir about her mother

Credit: Penn State
Student Kaylie Smith reads a poem

Student Kaylie Smith reads a poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Maddy Colello performs an original song

Student Maddy Colello performs an original song

Credit: Penn State
Student Makaylah Bangura reads a poem

Student Makaylah Bangura reads a poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Marissa Ebersole reads a poem

Student Marissa Ebersole reads a poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Nia Hubbard raps an original spoken word poem

Student Nia Hubbard raps an original spoken word poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Rivka Wolin reads a poem

Student Rivka Wolin reads a poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Rose Ried reads an original essay

Student Rose Ried reads an original essay

Credit: Penn State
Student Ryan Gladwin reads a poem

Student Ryan Gladwin reads a poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Shannette Wahor reads a poem

Student Shannette Wahor reads a poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Taylor Greco reads a poem

Student Taylor Greco reads a poem

Credit: Penn State
Student Yeyya Wane reads a poem

Student Yeyya Wane reads a poem

Credit: Penn State
The audience listens to a student reading

The audience listens to a student reading

Credit: Penn State
The audience listens to student Emma Moniz read her original short story

The audience listens to student Emma Moniz read her original short story

Credit: Penn State
Tom Liszka, emeritus professor of English, reads a poem by Emily Dickinson

Tom Liszka, emeritus professor of English, reads a poem by Emily Dickinson

Credit: Penn State
Several attendees perform freestyle rap after the event

Several attendees perform freestyle rap after the event

Credit: Penn State

Archive of Hard Freight Issues

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Notes from the Allegheny Front

An audio blog by Professor Todd Davis focussing on his ecological observations and experiences in the forests and on the streams of central Pennsylvania

Listen Now

Out-of-Class Learning

Explore out-of-classroom academic experiences that complement in-class learning, including study abroad/study away programs, internships, undergraduate research, and community-based studies.

Find Out More

See Also

  • African American Read-In
  • Division of Arts and Humanities
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Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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