By Anne Lassen
Flinn Foundation
The Flinn Scholar community gathered Saturday, Oct. 4, to celebrate the release of “Wedding of the Foxes” with poet, essayist, and ecologist Katherine Larson from the Flinn Scholar Class of 1996.
Joined in conversation by Class of 1993 Flinn Scholar and Flinn Foundation Chief Administrative Officer Matt Ellsworth, Larson shared an afternoon of poetry, reflection, and generous dialogue that beautifully illustrated the intersections of science, art, and lived experience.
“Wedding of the Foxes” is a collection of her essays examining the dazzling and fragile relationships we have with each other and other species.
Larson read several essays from the book that explored the beauty found in close observation of the natural world and the insights it offers about creativity and belonging. Her candor about her writing process, including lessons from a failed novel, offered an intimate look at the resilience and persistence that sustain the long, imperfect work of writing and rewriting.
At one point, Ellsworth shared that reading “Wedding of the Foxes” prompted him to move through his own days with greater attentiveness, noticing details he might otherwise overlook. It spoke to the quiet power of art to change how we move through the world, if only for a moment.
Questions from the audience, many from current and alumni Flinn Scholars, sparked rich conversation about the discipline of paying attention and the ways scientific training can sharpen both perception and empathy. When current Scholars shared their own struggles to balance many interests and define a single path, Larson responded with encouragement. She reminded them that purpose is something discovered over time rather than achieved all at once, and that openness to exploration often leads to the most meaningful work.
The event was a testament to the power of bringing Scholars together across generations to share their stories, inspire one another, and continue the tradition of curiosity and discovery that has always defined the Flinn experience. Larson described feeling moved by the palpable sense of community — an experience echoed by many who attended.
Larson’s work, including “Wedding of the Foxes” and the poetry collection “Radial Symmetry,” is featured alongside the creative achievements of fellow Scholar alumni on the Alumni Publications web page, which highlights the ways alumni continue to shape and contribute to the literary and academic landscape.