A storyteller’s legacy: empower the next generation of literary voices

Alumnus David Beaty spent much of his writing career testing the limits of his characters, creating narratives that often led to self-discovery. He now leaves behind a legacy that will help FIU creative writing students challenge themselves and embark on their own writing careers with a $700,000 endowed gift for fellowships.

Beaty earned an MFA in creative writing in 1998 at the age of 50. Channeling his inner Hemingway, he used his travels as inspiration for his short stories. Whether set in Greece — where he lived for a time — or Brazil or the United States, his adventurous tales told of protagonists overcoming challenges. He was a favorite among his classmates and well regarded by professors Les Standiford, founding director of FIU’s Creative Writing Program, and John Dufresne. His short stories have appeared in “Miami Noir,” “Unbound Press,” “Having a Wonderful Time,” “Tigertail” and other anthologies and literary journals. His short story “Ghosts” was included in“The Best American Mystery Stories” 2000, and his story “The Last of Lord Jitters” received honorable mention in “The Best American Mystery Stories” 2007. Later in life, he struggled with health issues and died in 2022. His gift to the university is the largest in the history of the Creative Writing Program.

The support for students that the endowment creates will defray expenses and ease the burden for those wishing to put their creative energies toward composing stories, poems and essays, Dufresne said. “Recipients will be able to focus on writing and not have to worry about financial obligations.”

The Creative Writing Program is nationally recognized, with a reputation for producing successful alumni. Its graduates have published more than 200 books (and counting), received prestigious literary awards and residencies and had their work adapted into award-winning films. Among others, they New York Times bestselling authors Dennis Lehane MFA ’01(“Mystic River) and Patricia Engel MFA ’07 (“Infinite Country”), Alabama poet laureate Ashley M. Jones and former Miami-Dade County poet laureate and 2013 Inauguration Day poet Richard Blanco ’91, MFA ’97, who today serves on the program’s faculty. Still others have gone on to successful careers as teachers, editors and arts administrators.

The endowment only adds to the presitige of the program. The fact that it comes from someone who contributed so much of themselves while a student in the same program makes it extra special, Standiford said.

“David gave careful, thorough and positive critiques,” he said. “He was well-read before he got into the program, so he brought a lot to the table during class discussions.”

In his thesis, “The Short Reign of Sultan Osman and Other Stories,” Beaty wrote about being interested in characters discovering and testing the limits of their emotional and psychological range. His professors say Beaty was motivated by writing about and delving into the complexities of characters. He loved bringing them to life in his short stories. He also loved being around books — so much so that he worked part-time at Books & Books in Coral Gables where he resided.

“He became part of the DNA of the bookstore,” said Mitchell Kaplan, Books & Books. “He loved talking about his experiences traveling. Talking to him was like taking a trip around the world.”  

Beaty was also interested in the arts, photography and pursuing lasting friendships. Dufresne and Standiford both kept in touch with Beaty long after he graduated from FIU, often sharing stories — both in written works and in conversation. As a final wish, Beaty is now helping a new generation of writers tell their own stories.