November 17, 2025
Linda Blaser
Pop genius and poetic insight shine in packed Taylor Swift talk
Dr. Stephanie Burt delivers her talk, “On the genius of Taylor Swift,” at Lake Forest College, November 10.
Lake Forest College sparkled with excitement on November 10 as Harvard University professor, poet, and passionate Swiftie Dr. Stephanie Burt delivered her talk, “On the genius of Taylor Swift: A Harvard crash course on the pop superstar.”
The campus community gathered with members of the public for a packed late-afternoon talk in Brown Hall that blended literary insight, pop-culture celebration, and a heartfelt appreciation of Taylor Swift’s enduring impact.
Drawing from her popular Harvard course Taylor Swift and Her World and her book Taylor’s Version: The Poetic and Musical Genius of Taylor Swift, Burt explored Swift’s unique artistry—one defined not by tortured solitude but by collaboration, craft, and joy. With lively humor and inviting warmth, she walked the audience through Swift’s evolution, unpacking the lyrical choices, cultural moments, and emotional honesty that have shaped Swift’s career.
For many attendees, the talk deepened their understanding of Swift’s artistry—even for longtime Swiftie Melanie Mandelke ’29. “I’ve been a big fan of hers since I was little, and her music brings me a lot of comfort,” she said. “I also love writing, and Taylor Swift has been a big inspiration to me in that sense.”
Mandelke’s biggest takeaway mirrored Burt’s core message: “Taylor Swift is not only incredibly smart, but also beautifully human. At the end of the day, though, Taylor Swift also just wants attention; she wants people to like her, which I think is unapologetically human, and essential to her stardom.”
She praised Burt as “such an enthusiastic speaker… so entertaining,” noting her deep and insightful grasp of Swift’s work.
Abby Reger P’26, ’27, parent of two sons at Lake Forest, attended the talk with her neighbor and avid Swift fan. Reger arrived with curiosity rather than prior fandom and also found the talk enlightening. “Dr. Burt was so fun,” Reger said. “I really didn’t know much about Taylor Swift beyond what I’ve heard on the radio, so I learned a lot. It was a really good discussion.”
Reger left the talk with clarity about Swift’s cultural impact: “I knew she had such a loyal fan base, and hearing the lecture made it all start to make sense to me—why she is so beloved.”
The event announcement immediately caught Reger’s eye. “I look at all the emails from the College, but that one jumped out at me,” she said.
Her biggest takeaway had less to do with fame and more to do with community. “The College is paying attention to what’s going on,” she noted, adding: “My kids are having a completely different college experience than I did in terms of news of the world. The College saw something that would bring people together,” she said. “I thought it was nothing but good.”
For both students and visitors, the evening was a reminder of how art—especially Swift’s emotionally resonant, carefully crafted storytelling—can build bridges. Burt’s talk turned a November afternoon on campus into a shared celebration of creativity, connection, and the enduring power of a great pop song.