The School of Languages and Literature Newsletter Fall 2014 The Torch “A classic is a book that L&L Undergrad Scholarship Recipients Fall 2014 has never finished saying what it has to say.” - Italo Calvino Roberta Wright Reeves:  Jaclyn Alford  Logan Askins  Nathan Askins  Andrew Cosper  Rebecca Davis  Alexa Taulbee  Haley Bonner  Holly Falkner  Anthony Garcia  Donisha Landes  Cara Nelson  Sierra Bailey  Charyssa Lamb  Sarah Van Der Linden  Aaron White Peyton & Ola Barrington:  David Barkley  Dylan Clark Mang Pew Lee:  Iris Mendoza Warren Memorial:  Lance Williams Dorothy Watters Jamar:  Ben Whiteside Christa Kunkel Smith:  Adelfo Valdez Zaphryn Memorial  Jesse Tafoya Dr. Sherman Brown Neff  Chris Acosta A big thanks to all our donors, and a congrats to all our recipients! Three-week Study Tour to England a Success! The value of education can be measured by more than what one learns simply from a textbook or class lecture. For history and English students at Wayland Baptist University, that added value was ever present during a 3-week study tour in England. Sponsored by the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences and the School of Languages and Literature, 10 L-R, back: Donisha Landes, Rebecca Davis, Dr. Kevin Sweeney, Brendon Schreiber, Reggie Davis, Dr. Maria O’Connell L-R, front: Hannah Wells, Ty Carthel, Jacqueline Wallace , Olivia Bybee, Bridgit O’Connell (not pictured: Jared Haines and Annette Coon) students and two professors es they had while immers- made the trip made the trip ing themselves in the cul- to Oxford and London, along ture about which they were with Annette Coon who coor- learning was a benefit they dinated the efforts. Dr. Kevin could not have received in Sweeney taught World Civili- the classroom. zations up to 1500 as well as The School of L&L is con- an upper-level history course sidering future trips to Cos- that covered medieval Eng- ta Rica and Spain. land. Dr. Maria O’Connell taught a world literature course as well as an upper- (From Jonathan Petty article published on Plainview Herald website; full article at a http:// level English course covering www.myplainview. British literature. While stu- com/agriculture/article_67bdc6ba- dents spent much of their time studying, the experienc- f731-11e3-984d0019bb2963f4.html ) Dr. Joshua Mora Named Associate Dean of the School of Languages and Literature Still Crazy After All These Years . . . Every fall the faculty and staff of the School of L&L gathers for fall professional development meetings. These meetings include much work and discussion, but Annette Coon always makes Dr. Don and Lannie Cook Scholarship ed to the School’s foreign The Dr. Don and Lannie languages—Spanish, Ger- Cook Scholarship was man, French, Latin, and dedicated this spring Chinese. 2014. Dr. Cook served Dr. Cindy McCle- nagan will continue to serve as the chair of the as Dean and manage all Division of Languages undergraduate and gradu- and Literature for ate programs in English. approximately forty “I’m honored to have this years; students, faculty, The School of Languages opportunity to serve Way- and friends joined and Literature is pleased to land in this role,” stated Dr. together to honor his and announce that as of July 1, Mora. “I appreciate the Lannie’s work through 2014, Dr. Joshua Mora will trust that Wayland has put the development of an serve as our first-ever Asso- in me, and I hope to do the English Scholarship in ciate Dean. In this position best job possible to serve their name. Dr. Mora will oversee and Wayland and her students.” develop all programs relat- We know you will, Dr. Mora! sure we also gather for our annual funny photo. Last fall (above) it was goofy hats; this Check out our website for our recent creative fall, Hawaiian or wild shirts. publications Embers and Frontlines! (Don’t worry, we’ll share this www.wbu.edu/school-of-languages fall’s photo as well!) Student Honors School of L&L 2014 University Research Champion English Language Arts major Lance Williams was named the 2014 School of Languages & Literature Research Champion. A chapel presentation of his American Sign Language research paper earned him a $100 award for his scholarship and efforts. Way to go, Lance! Spring 2014 Student L&L Award Winners Katherine Teinert - Chinese Hannah Wells – English Rebecca Davis - Latin Meagan Dixon - Spanish Costa Rica Study Tour New Minors and New Specializations for the School of Languages & Literature In addition to adding minors in Chinese, *American Literature Latin, and Professional Writing, the *British Literature School of L&L also recently added spe- *Professional Writing cialization options for its English ma- Information about these new degrees jors. can be access through our online cata- New students who choose to major in log at http://catalog.wbu.edu/ English may now select a specialization preview_entity.php? in any one of the following areas: catoid=3&ent_oid=48. The School of L&L hopes to offer its 6th Spanish Study Tour this May 2015, mostly likely with a return to Costa Rica. Led by Dr. Joshua Mora, the tour generally lasts the entire May micro (three weeks), allowing students to gain college credit while immersing themselves in the language and culture of a Spanish-speaking Register for WCONLINE NOW for access to our appointment calendar Check out New Online Resources and watch for updates coming in fall 2014. Like us on Facebook: Wayland Baptist University Writing Center Follow us on Twitter: @wbu_wc country. Spring 2014 Awards for School of L&L Faculty Members Dr. Karen Beth Strovas Dr. Deborah Kuhlman & Dr. Joshua Mora of the 2013-2014 univer- Additionally, Dr. Joshua Mora sity-wide received the Janis Davis Fac- Faculty Scholarship ulty & Staff Appreciation or Award. The award is “Favorite Professor” award as voted on by all full-time voted on by the student body. Wayland faculty, and is Congrats to both! given to the professor who has diligently pursued and succeeded in Other L&L faculty award nom- Dr. Karen Beth Strovas, scholarship efforts in his inations included Dr. Deborah Assistant Professor of or her academic area. Kuhlmann, Associate Profes- English, was the winner Congrats, Dr. Strovas! sor of English, for the Contribution to Profession Award. L&L Faculty Members Tell One Another to “Shut Up and Write!” At the encouragement of to their website, “Shut Up & who are serious about Assistant Professor of Eng- Write! is a venue for writers ‘writing down the bones’ lish Dr. Maria O’Connell, to work in the company of and are looking for the com- faculty members in the other writers on a regular panionship of other writ- School of L&L are gathering basis. Writing, whether ap- ers.” fairly regularly to encourage proached as a profession or shutupandwriteSFO ) one another in pursuit of as an avocation, is an isolat- The School of L&L group their scholarly writing. Af- ing activity. We provide this meets about once month, fectionately called “SUAW,” forum, writing resources generally at The Brew. Drs. this “Shut Up and Write” and meeting times as a O’Connell, Steve Michael, group is based on a concept method of developing a Karen Beth Strovas, Erin developed in the San Fran- community of creative peo- Heath, and Laura Branden- cisco Bay area. According ple. We welcome people burg are regular attenders. Master of Arts in English at WBU (http://www.meetup.com/ Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society May of 2014 boasted the School 2014-2015 Officers Better World Books Membership English graduating class thus far: President: Kelsey Wright Sigma Tau Delta continues Sigma Tau Delta is open to 6 students were eligible to walk Vice-President: Lance Williams to work with Better World all English majors and mi- the May 2014 graduation stage in Secretary: Dylan Clark Books (BWB) to collect and nors who have completed Treasurer: Sarah Van Der send used books for re-sale, their freshman English re- receipt of their MAE degree: Rita Linden recycling, or use overseas. quirements and maintained If you have any books to a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Convention donate, place them in the In spring 2015, members collection box outside of the plan to head to Albuquer- Languages and Literature que, NM, for the 2015 Inter- office, GH 201, Plainview campus. national Convention. of L&L’s largest Master of Arts in Cox, Ashley Edlin, and Melissa Pawelek attended the ceremony (above L-R), while Rachael Murray, Ellen Shelton, and Hannah Below: Stewart graduated in absentia. Fall 2013 Halloween Party— Working under the direction of Dr. costumes and all! Cindy McClenagan, Ashley Edlin completed her Master’s thesis on composition and service learning, while Rita Cox worked with Dr. Karen Beth Strovas to complete a creative writing thesis. Other recent graduates of our MAE program include Christina Buchholz, Joan King, Priscila Osio, Destini Munoz, Heidi Smith, and Stephanie Ward. 2014-2015 marks the MAE program’s fifth year; current enrollment rests at 37 students!