From the Class of 1975 to earning her MFA in Creative Writing (Non-Fiction) in 2021, Linda M. Romanowski proves it’s never too late to chase your dreams—and give back to the place that helped shape you.
Her MFA thesis, completed with distinction, became her debut hybrid memoir Final Touchstones (Brown Posey Press, an imprint of Sunbury Press, January 2023). A beautiful blend of prose and poetry, the book traces four brothers who left Sicily for America in the early 1900s—centering on Linda’s maternal grandfather and the Italian American family stories that shaped her. It has been accepted into the collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Library Company of Philadelphia, earned Finalist status in the Eric Hoffer Book Award (Memoir, Culture, and Poetry 2024 categories), and was nominated for the 2025 Legacy Award. Most recently, it won the 2025 Sunbury Press SUNNY Award for Non Fiction, which it also previously won in 2023. An excerpt, “Bearing Witness,” also appears in A Conspiracy of Ravens, the 2025 collection by Rosemont College MFA alumni.
In sharing about her experience in the MFA program, Linda offered these words:
My success in my MFA and publishing pursuits would never have materialized had it not been for the support of our MFA Director, Carla Spataro. From the first moment of our meeting, her encouragement was unfailing. My every success in these past few years can be directly traced back to her. And, I formed a new set of lifelong friends within the program itself.
Her commitment to Rosemont runs even deeper. A two time recipient of the Bonnie Hilferty Award for service, and the 2021 President’s Medal honoree, Linda served on the Alumni Board of Directors for 13 years, including as President during the height of COVID. She delivered the Alumni Welcoming speech at four outdoor MFA graduation ceremonies in 2021, the only president to do so. She staffed graduations for 20 years, reviewed submissions for Rathalla Magazine and the Sandy Crimmins National Poetry Prize, served as a committee member for her Class of 1975’s 50th reunion, participated in decades of fundraising phone a thons and personalized notes, and remains active today in the Rosemont coffee table book project, archival preservation efforts, and the Patrick Herman Memorial Garden Group.
Whether editing, archiving, mentoring, or simply showing up, Linda continues to preserve and celebrate Rosemont’s legacy.
Linda’s journey is pure inspiration. As she shared in a recent interview:
“I hope my journey will inspire others to commit to lifelong learning, and to not believe they are ‘too this or too that’ to venture into the unknown. Every one of us has something to offer.”
Thank you, Linda, for showing every alum what it means to learn, create, and give back, with heart, grace, and “final touchstones” we can all cherish. Read more about award winning author Linda Romanowski and Final Touchstones at lindamromanowski.com
