Arthur (BJ) Best, Carroll University faculty

B.J. Best

Professor of English and Interactive Arts Get Contact Info

TEACHES IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM(S)

English and Writing Video Game Design Photography Art

Education

  • Washington University, M.F.A.
  • Drake University, B.S.

Areas of Specialization

Video game design, interactive fiction, poetry, fiction, video game theory, interactive art

Scholarly and Professional Achievements

Interactive Fiction

  • LAKE Adventure. Second place, 2023 Interactive Fiction Competition
  • And Then You Come to a House Not Unlike the Previous One. First place, 2021 Interactive Fiction Competition
  • Off-Season at the Dream Factory. Sixth place, 2021 Interactive Fiction Competition

Video Games

  • Radio Ghosts. Game Boy. 2024
  • Space Cactus Canyon. Atari 2600. AtariAge, 2017

Poetry Books and Chapbooks

  • Everything about Breathing. Madison, WI: Bent Paddle Press, 2019
  • Yes. Madison, WI: Parallel Press, 2014
  • But Our Princess Is in Another Castle. Brookline, MA: Rose Metal Press, 2013
  • Drag: Twenty Short Poems about Smoking. Milwaukee, WI: Centennial Press, 2011
  • Birds of Wisconsin. Moorhead, MN: New Rivers Press, Fall 2010
  • State Sonnets. Buffalo, NY: sunnyoutside, 2009

Art Exhibitions

  • Strained Glass. Joyce Paddock Bliss Gallery, Waukesha, WI, 2023
  • New Flock. John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI. 2022. With Joel Matthys
  • Open Circuits. Joyce Paddock Bliss Gallery, Waukesha, WI. 2019. With Joel Matthys

Service to Carroll University and Profession

  • Faculty President (2024-present)
  • Chair, Department of English, Modern Languages, and Philosophy (2018-2022)
  • Co-chair, Higher Learning Commission Steering Committee (2015-2017)
  • Founder and Faculty Advisor, Portage Magazine (2014-present)
  • Chair, Planning and Budget Committee (2014-15)
  • Advisor, Century (student literary magazine) (2011-2020)
  • Vice President, Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (2010-2013)

Honors and Awards

  • Second place, 2023 Interactive Fiction Competition
  • First place, 2021 Interactive Fiction Competition
  • Benjamin F. Richason Jr. Faculty Award for “excellence in teaching, research, and educational innovation.” Carroll University, 2015
  • Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Award for Yes. Wisconsin Library Assocation, 2015
  • Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Award for But Our Princess Is in Another Castle. Wisconsin Library Association, 2014
  • Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Award for Birds of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Library Association, 2011
  • Winner, Many Voices Project (MVP) competition for Birds of Wisconsin. New Rivers Press, 2009
  • Four-time finalist to serve as the poet laureate of Wisconsin: 2008, 2012, 2014, 2018
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