Nancy Rankie Shelton, a professor of education, is author of a powerful new memoir that is already receiving significant praise for its contributions to the growing body of literature on living and dying well. The book, titled 5-13: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Survival, was published earlier this month by Garn Press.

In a review posted on the Garn Press website, the reviewer notes, “Nancy Rankie Shelton’s 5-13, A Memoir of Love, Loss and Survival is a breathtaking read. It is work of great courage but also a literary triumph. Like an uncut diamond it is rough reading in places and then the light fractures and you feel the surge of an enduring human spirit who is not frightened to love, face death, and then reimagine her life.”

The book encourages readers to overcome fears of cancer, remain loving and strong, survive the death of a loved one, and continue living. The story traces Shelton’s husband Jack’s fight with lung cancer and the stress and confusion of managing his treatment. The book reflects on the 35 years the couple was together and the family’s relationships with others over the years.

“Dying with dignity, end of life decisions, assisted suicide and advances in health care are important topics in today’s society,” the review on the Garn Press website states. “Nancy Rankie Shelton contributes to this body of work in her book…which leads the reader through her husband Jack’s cancer diagnosis and his death, with moving vignettes of life and love woven throughout the text.”

Shelton is the author of 23 publications appearing in prominent academic journals and leading publishing companies specializing in literacy research and/or education policy. Her teaching areas focus on reading and language arts, literacy/culture and composition theory/practice. Her research interests include children’s writing development, effects of mandated instruction on elementary literacy development, literacy/art connections, and children’s literature. Read more about her work on the education department website.

Image: Nancy Rankie Shelton. Garn Press photo.

This report is published in two locations.  If you need Current Snapshot then navigate to Student Records and Enrollment > Degrees > Details.  If you need End of Year snapshot data, which is used for state and federal reporting, then run the report located in Census Data > Details.

When you think about spending ten bucks a month, you might think about going to the movies, buying lunch, or a quick trip to the grocery store. You probably don’t think about changing someone’s life– but that’s what you could be doing with a simple monthly gift to UMBC. It’s easy to set up a recurring gift and make a lasting difference without lifting a finger.

$10 a month can buy two lattes…or give the gift of education to a student in need. Any donation, no matter the size, helps us achieve our student scholarship goals. 

Give today!

People of different cultures have been using music and dance to tell stories for centuries. These mediums capture emotion so effortlessly, and their best attribute is that people don’t need to speak the same language in order to understand the stories, beats, and movements.

AFST 340 – African Drumming & Dance is a hands-on workshop that teaches the techniques, and  cultural and historical significance, of West African drumming. Students will learn specific musical styles and traditions from singing West African songs on traditional and contemporary African musical instruments.

AFST 340 is 6-week course offered in Summer Session II, and is part of the Culture & Social Justice course offerings. AFST 340 is cross-listed as DANC 301 and MUSC 375.

Register Now!