Faith and Politics
Staff Writer Shane Dillon ’26 reflects on a conversation with Pete Buttigieg during Amherst College LitFest 2026, examining how faith can meaningfully inform political life without becoming a tool of division.
litfest
We Fail at the Binary: Reflections on Buttigieg’s LitFest Talk
Managing Opinion Editor Joey Supik ’27 reflects on Pete Buttigieg’s LitFest appearance, revealing that meaningful engagement requires looking beyond partisan labels to understand the diverse beliefs and motivations that shape our democracy.
Former Secretary Pete Buttigieg Speaks At LitFest
From this year's annual LitFest, Senior Managing Editor Mira Wilde ’28 writes about the highly-anticipated talk given by the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, who shared his relationship with literature and how it shapes his work in politics.
LitFest Welcomes Innovative Author Jamaica Kincaid
Among this year’s distinguished LitFest guest speakers was author Jamaica Kincaid. Managing Opinion Editor Caroline Flinn ’28 and Managing Puzzles Editor Madeline Gold ’28 explore how Kincaid's personal experiences and values have shaped both her writing and her life.
JinJin Xu: Groundbreaking Poet, Artist, and Amherst Alum
In an insightful interview with LitFest 2025 guest JinJin Xu ’17, staff writer Luchik Belau-Lorberg ’28 discusses the multimedia work of the artist, poet, and publisher, who happened to live in his same first-year dorm during her time at Amherst.
Dr. Anthony Fauci Sits Down With Amherst Students
Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of this year’s esteemed LitFest guests, spoke with four Amherst students about the necessity of science in times of uncertainty, the American medical system, and the implications of Covid.
10 Highlights From 10 Years of LitFest: A Retrospective with Jennifer Acker ’00
2025 marks 10 years since the start of LitFest, inviting over 100 guest speakers over the years. Managing Features Editor Olivia Law ’27 and Assistant Features Editor Mira Wilde ’28 spotlight the most memorable moments from each year.