SIGMA TAU DELTA INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY Fall 2008

Reflections: The 2009 Sigma Tau Delta Gloria J. Hochstein Convention Chair Convention University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire CONTENTS You are invited to bring your REFLECTIONS to the back, I now see that I was reflecting Sigma Tau Delta 2009 Convention in Minneapolis, on the dynamic relationship Minnesota, March 26-28, 2009. The state of Minnesota page 2 between the natural and the human takes its name from the native Dakota word for the worlds. *President’s Corner Minnesota River: minisota, which means “water that reflects the sky.” Growing up in the farm country of When Minneapolis was selected as the site for the 2009 page 3 southwestern Minnesota, I was surrounded by the convention, I knew I wanted the theme of Reflections, a *2009 Convention natural wonders of sky and water and trees and growing theme that would invite us to see the idea of the water Speakers plants and animals, and also by the human-made reflecting the sky as a metaphor for an expanded vision, wonders of architecture, machines, and books. Such for a thoughtfulness enhanced by the contemplation of page 4 a combination encourages us to reflect on both the natural wonders and human endeavors. In 2009, the natural and the human-made world and on our place in waters of Minnesota reflect much more than the sky. *From Student to those worlds. Teacher: Growing They also reflect buildings and bridges and machinery Through Sigma Tau and skylines with much more than sky and clouds in Two childhood events remain among my most vivid them. Delta memories, and I find that reflecting on these events *A New Chapter in leads me down divergent paths. When I was nine, On a literal level, Reflections identifies the relationships the NEHS Story our family took a vacation to northern Minnesota. In between the sky and the sky-blue water, and between Bemidji, I saw the huge statues of Paul Bunyan and the natural world and the human-made world. On a page 5 Babe, his Blue Ox. I was told that Lake Superior and the figurative level, Reflections suggests the contemplative *What Can You Do other Great Lakes were formed from Babe’s hoof prints. meditations on the individual and on society often With an English Even then I knew that the Great Lakes were not really experienced in the presence of natural wonder. Major? Intern Job Babe’s hoof prints and that no giant lumberjack logged the forests. Looking back, I see that these stories started at Penguin In 2009, we will be only blocks from the Mississippi me on a life-long interest in discovering why humans River, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on the Nicollet Mall *Serve Society by create mythological creatures and stories to explain Fostering Literacy in downtown Minneapolis. For eleven blocks, wide natural phenomena and human behavior. I eventually sidewalks flow on the Nicollet Mall in front of shops came to understand that it is much more poetic to and restaurants, with only taxis and buses allowed on page 6 attribute the logging of the great forests to a giant being the streets. This is a pedestrian’s delight! For only *Grave-robbing Eliot: than it is to accept the more mundane explanation that a $1.50, the light-rail line and the buses connect the Hosting a Regional growing nation needed the lumber for its expansion. Nicollet Mall to all parts of the Twin Cities, including Conference the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and the Mall of *Award Winners 2008 Later in that vacation by Lake Itasca, as we stepped America. Even better, the buses cost only 50 cents in the carefully on the rocks that bridge the small stream that Downtown Zone. page 7 is the source of the Mississippi River, my brother shoved me. Losing my balance, I stepped off the rocks into Certainly, a Sigma Tau Delta Convention is about *Award Winners the water, my new saddle shoes making foot prints in Cont. Reflections of a literary nature and often of a personal the bed of the Mississippi. and introspective nature as you share your creative Standing in the stream with page 8 and critical work. A convention is also about renewal the water trickling around and regeneration as you exchange ideas. It is about *The 2009 Sigma Tau my ankles, I marveled that enlightenment and appreciation of our featured speakers Delta Common this quiet, shallow stream was and of each other. It is about recognition for your Reader the source of the huge river accomplishments. A convention is also about enjoyment that flowed through the Twin and fellowship with others who love literature, language, Cities only a few hours south. and writing as much as you do. I also found myself awestruck that I was actually standing Interested in going to the Convention? IN the great Mississippi, yet I Proposals due November 21! was in no danger. I felt both See: www.english.org/sigmatd/conventions/index.shtml small and powerful. Looking International English Honor Society  society. Iteach system” in a“state university, and Iam,invery and policies and the role argumentpurposes plays in a democratic self-conscious ways ofeducational to theexamination in very education,” perhaps, initsmost basicsense.My focus hasshifted the preparation of anengagedandinformed “voter citizenry, functioninthe comp classroom in istothe primary participate of my collegedays, thatalleducationis“civics”education, that in ways thatwere clearlyinvisible intheNew Criticalacademy introduction Ihave to academicdiscourse, cometo understand, terms, practical asan While Istill invery think ofthecourse, Wikipedia. by Internet resources, cut-and-paste andthewonders papers, of vengeance, complicating thealready complicated problems posed forgotten, like thefive-paragraph theme,have comeback witha while, provide Forms onstudent grades papers. thatIthought rubric inthesyllabus,andIwill,alsofor time inalong thefirst semester, for timeinalongwhile,included agrading thefirst portfolio, withrevision feature acentral Ihave ofthecourse. this but we have fewer books,fewer goesina andeverything papers, still focuses inargumentation, a course onacademicdiscourse, But thosethingshave changed, too. Mycurrent Comp IIcourse, tasks. our central introduction to academicdiscourse—which I still thinkis oneof academy, to reading, thinking, andwritingatthecollegelevel—an was to introduce students to the ofthecomp course purposes did thinkthatoneoftheprimary the paperpromptly forgotten. I entered bookand inthegrade slapped a on, grade the grade then weweeks marked orso,drafts and two every drafts out finished the earlydays, we were allaboutproduct, having students crank My teaching offirst-year composition hassimilarlychanged. In undergraduates are women, male.Thingshave 44% changed. Now they are figures central inanacademy where 56%ofthe Chopinwere Shelley andKate allbutunheard of then. Mary themtobooks andtake classwhen we upfeminist take criticism. remained thatway for agoodten years after. Istill have those ofEnglishliterature and was anall-maleaffair used inthesurveys never quite sure whatto dowithit.The by,novelistic funto read, butIwas Iwas mostly fiction baffled poetic. Poetry was to beread aspoetry, andnot someother thing; oneself intheaesthetic pleasures ofthetext, almost always old.) Changewas already afoot, butitwas still easyto immerse degree, playing outthelegaciesofNew Criticism.(Iamthat changed. Iattended Asanundergrad, anacademy still, to some ofmyon thecourse career ineducation andjust how thingshave Revising my syllabifor thecomingterm has causedmeto reflect preps thesemester andpapers brings. column—that willquickly ofclass bewashed away in theflood Before then,Ihave allthoseother thingsto do—like write this Lit—strikes, into semester andIshift mode.Butthat’snext week. of students—54 inComp II, 48inIntro Lit,25inWriting about copied, ready to bedistributed onMonday, whenthetsunami storm. Thenew semester beginsnext week. Mysyllabiare inand As Iwrite thesewords, I’minthenot-quite-calm before the Change President’s Corner Things continue to change Norton Anthology have changed we atSigmaTau Delta. , another year ortwo whose assistants withthesuccession ofgrad and themanagementofannualconvention, makingdofor to assist person withchapterhire afull-timestaff development outhowfiguring to save money. We shelved theproposal to the amountswe couldoffer for scholarships andawards, and entire board meeting cutting items from thebudget, reducing economy then,asnow, adownturn, hadtaken sowe spentthe employeeanother part-time provided technical The support. Executive Director, manager, anoffice andagraduate assistant; atthat point,includedourhalf-time Regent. Office TheCentral Cincinnati for thefall board meeting, thenewly elected Eastern Sigma Tau IjoinedtheBoard ofDirectors Delta. sixyears agoin Things have changed, are changing, andcontinueto change at Changes at democracy. It’ssomething to thinkabout. size andtheways itfosters aconsumerculture, not aparticipatory consider theideologicalimplications ofclass forces atwork intheclassroom, even to such things,to recognize theideological than ever before. It’s best to be honest about direct ways, more anagentofthestate, so has stayed thesame. academic life. In themidst of somany other changes, that much associated withSigma Tau of my isstill oneofthebest parts Delta advisor, comingto convention, ontheboard, being participating convention promises to asalways. beterrific, Andbeing achapter strong 25years onthejobasExecutive after Director. The A few things haven’t changed. still BilJohnsonisback, going else. new seal,ontop ofeverything among other a21 things, finally capabilities for on-lineregistration andon-linemerchandizing, also have system andanew web anew database site, withnew oftheSocietysource andasignificant ofincome.We’llthe part ago, ifnothing else, represents both investment asignificant on National EnglishHonorSociety sinceits debut just over two years should beathingofthepast. Thephenomenal growth ofthe currently buttheblood-letting oftheCincinnati meetings stand, or fall withthemarket. We’ll seein several weeks where things monies are now beingmanagedmore carefully, to rise not left mark inthepast year, meaning,amongother things,thatour The value ofouraccountshas climbed, crossing the million dollar time,havefirst anAlumniRepresentative sittingontheboard. school Englishhonorsociety inCincinnati.We’ll also,for the proposed BilJohnsonfirst developing ahigh serves, If memory including theDirector oftheNational EnglishHonorSociety. music performance. We alsohave anumberofnewpositions, boardattending theirfirst meeting. We have new Regents, new things willbemuch different. Fully athird oftheboard willbe When theboard meets inMinneapolisseveral weeks’ time, getting upto speed.Thosewere interesting times. year appointmentalmost always seemedto endjust asthey were are changing Sigma Tau Delta , and Slippery Rock University,Slippery PA school, adegree pursuing invocal is returning thisfall to graduate ZeniaLee Office, the Central indispensable in making herself Chapter Development. After Director ofCommunicationsand Editor ofPublications,andanew Student Representatives, anew st Bob Crafton century web site. Andwe have century a President International English Honor Society  , 2005, Fuller , 2005, Fuller

article, calls Fuller The Legend of Colton H. Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Don’t Let’s Workshop received the Ulysses Prize for the Ulysses Prize for received copyright (c) 2008 by Neil Gaiman. Neil (c) 2008 by copyright , 2001, Fuller describes growing up describes growing Fuller , 2001, New York Times York New www.alaxandrafuller.org Friday, March 27, 2009 27, March Friday, ALEXANDRA FULLER Scribbling the Cat The Graveyard Book The Graveyard An African Childhood

, also non-fiction, the story of tells and death of the life Scribbling the Cat: Travels With an African Soldier Travels Scribbling the Cat: his black coat, and with it he wiped off the knife and his coat, and with it he wiped offhis black the knife had been holding it; then he right hand which gloved He over. almost was The hunt away. put the handkerchief man on the bedroom had left in her bed, the the woman bedroom, floor, colored in her brightly child the older and half-finished That only models. toys by surrounded of. take care to a toddler, left barely the little one, a baby be done. and his taskOne more would from Excerpt HarperCollins permission from Publishers.Used by All rights reserved. Preview of Neil Gaiman’s new work: Gaiman’s new Neil of Preview Book The Graveyard and it held a knife. a hand in the darkness, was There bone, and polished black had a handle of The knife If it sliced a blade finer razor. and sharper than any had been cut, not you know even not might you you, immediately. everything to had done almost brought it was The knife handle were blade and the the do, and both to house that wet. the where a little, just open, still was door The street in, and wisps and the man who held it had slipped knife the house into and twined slithered of nighttime mist the open door. through paused on the landing. With his leftThe man Jack hand of the pocket from handkerchief white he pulled a large in Africa amidst political struggles, civil war, turmoil, and loss. turmoil, and civil war, political struggles, in Africa amidst In another from Africa and looks at the Rhodesian War to returns vantage point. Art of Reportage. book, latest Fuller’s Bryant of war seen the ravages man in the oil fields. Having a young harsh vista beautiful yet familiar a recognizes in Africa, Fuller 1 In a May in Wyoming. “I can’t talkthe oil field landscape” and says, “a war about my talk to about and its hard I can’t talkchildhood, about the war, the book.” I wrote what’s going on in the oil field. That’s why Born in England in 1969, Alexandra Fuller Born in England in 1969, Zimbabwe), up in Rhodesia (now grew a BA from and Zambia, received Malawi, and now Scotia, in Nova University Acadia In her memoir, in Wyoming. lives Tonight:

, . , Stardust , A Study in Outside Beowulf , essay , essay , , . Perry got got . Perry , and, most , and, most , and is a

American Gods could be applied to The Sandman , , . His essays have been heard been heard have . His essays Off Main Street Runner’s World Runner’s Truck: A Love Story A Love Truck: Population 485: Meeting Your Your 485: Meeting Population Excerpt included on page 8. Excerpt (with Terry Pratchett). Gaiman Coraline , , and Anansi Boys NEIL GAIMAN 28, 2009 March Saturday, 28 March Interview Saturday, www.neilgaiman.com Thursday, March 26, 2009 March Thursday, 27 March Friday, Workshops www.sneezingcow.com MICHAEL PERRY lyrics, drama, journalism, and film.Born in England, Gaiman now lives near Minneapolis. Gaiman’s works have garnered numerous awards, including 1 World 2 Nebulas, 3 Hugos, A prolific writer, Neil Gaiman produces poetry, prose, comics, music Neighbors One Siren at a Time One Siren Neighbors collection recently, of the University from his nursing degree as a and has worked Wisconsin in 1987 Humorist, author, musician, Michael musician, Michael author, Humorist, is the author of the 2009 Sigma Tau Perry the bestselling Delta Common Reader, memoir 2009 Convention Speakers Convention 2009 The New York Times Magazine Times York The New Men’s Health , series “a comic strip for intellectuals, and Salon.com

Good Omens Esquire The Wolves in the Walls

, Orion, , and Sandman , All Things Considered. All Things Considered. www.english.org/sigmatd/minneapolis/speakers.html

Smoke and Mirrors , which won numerous awards, including the 1991 ,

Want to find out more about these convention speakers? find to about these convention out more Want Go to:

on NPR’s Backpacker to contributing editor All the while, Perry has been writing and entertaining.All the while, Perry Perry for has written operator, physical therapy aide, and is still active as a volunteer as a volunteer active still aide, and is therapy physical operator, in rural Wisconsin. medical responder and emergency firefighter cowboy, truck driver, proofreader, country forklift music roadie, proofreader, driver, truck cowboy, I say it’s about time.” World Fantasy Award, a literary award.called Norman the Mailer scary bits).” Gaiman created andSandman wrote DC Comics series, romances in there, and it’s certainly a comedy, except for the quite qualify as a ghost story (althoughghost init it),has ator leasta romantic one comedy (although there are several many of his works: “It’s a scary, isn’tfunny sortexactly of aa thriller,story, which and isn’t really horror, and doesn’t and screenplays, including the scriptGaiman’s for the descriptionfilm of Neverwhere has written numerous short stories, non-fiction essays, Emerald award-winning novels, graphic novels,Anansi and novellas Boys include Fantasy Award, 2 British SF Awards, 4 Geffens, 1 International 1 International 4 Geffens, British SF Awards, 2 Award, Fantasy Some and 2 Mythopoeic Awards. Guild Award, Horror of the Fantasy Award, 4 Bram Stoker Awards, 9 Locus Awards, 1 British Awards, 9 Locus Awards, Bram 4 Stoker Award, Fantasy International English Honor Society  Canada andthelower forty-eight. 12 Pacific RimConference onLiterature andRhetoric, which, inits and undergraduate students. Together, we money raised for the other we members, increased to graduate forty-two membership rebuilt theclub.Iwas elected President, andwiththehelpofour someoftheotherrallied year first students, grad andtogether, we experience withtheInternational EnglishHonorSociety, I ofmy Recalling theimportance undergraduateless participation. Epsilon Nu chapter hadwaned, there was littlefunding,andeven of SigmaTau butdiscovered Delta, thatinterest intheAlpha Anchorage (UAA), Iimmediately soughtouttheschool’s chapter Two years later, asagraduate student attheUniversity ofAlaska become anactive memberintheUNCWcommunity. scholars, inspired meto strive for academicexcellence andto in many areas ofmy life. They, alongwithmy fellow English SueandStephanieThe advisors, Richardson, provided guidance community ofpeoplewithinterests andgoalssimilarto mine. was delighted to discover intheAlphaUpsilon chapter a transferring to UNCWanddeclaring my majorasEnglish,I at theUniversity Carolina ofNorth Wilmington (UNCW).After becameamemberofSigmaTauI first asanundergraduate Delta continues to dosoinmy profession. Sigma Tau hasguidedmealongthepathofacademiaand Delta Carolinaof North to thePacific Northwest shores ofAlaska, together From andminors. Englishmajors thesunny coast many ways SigmaTau caninspire, cultivate, Delta andbring officer, andfinally, afacultyprimary advisor, Ihave seenthe five yearsAfter asanundergraduate member, agraduate student in SanAntonio inNovember. Ofmost for significance NEHS, aposition hewillassume Committee onAffiliates, Standing Teachers ofEnglish;hismost recent role isthatofchair ofthe Additionally, heisactively involved intheNational Councilof school district withapproximately inColorado students. 84,000 and socialstudies for CountyPublicSchools, Jefferson thelargest administrator responsibleoffice for K-12 Englishlanguagearts chairEnglish teacher to anddepartment twelve years asacentral with positionsrangingfrom twenty-seven years asahighschool to forty years ofexperience asaneducator to thisnew work, Wendelin, wholives inandworks outofDenver, bringsclose and development ofNEHSover thepast few years. up Johnson’s“torch ofexcellence,” soevidencedinthecreation the highschool “branch,” the Director of director ofNEHSfrom Dr. WilliamC.Johnson,Executive In August, Dave Wendelin accepted thereins as ofleadership high school students inthenation. astheonlyEnglish-disciplinehonorsocietyunfolding for story Sigma Tau ( Delta The National EnglishHonorSociety (NEHS),sponsored by well exemplified by thework of recognition achievement of outstanding inEnglish studies so selected in2003toCouncil members thehigh school level, a however, isthathewas oneoftheoriginal National Advisory th Through From Student to Teacher: Growing A New Chapter intheNEHSStory and13 th years were agreat successwithvisitingscholars from

and formerly ofNEHS.Becausethegrowth of ), begananewchapter initsexciting, yet- Sigma Tau Delta board hired Wendelin to pick and Sigma Kappa Delta Delta andSigma Kappa 14 We andartwork. writing, non-fiction, willbeprepping for the magazine, arts year planned.We are goingto beworking to publishacreative become thefaculty advisorto theclub,andwe have anexciting ofSigmaTaulast five years asamemberandofficer Ihave Delta, English faculty. the Iamthrilledthatafter at UAA, andIhave beenhired recently as completed my degree inLiterature M.A. This year, Iamexcited thatIhave to report become members, orforbecome members, thoseofyou thinkingofbecomingan Forscholars isanunderstatement. thoseofyou whohave recently To say SigmaTau experience for isanimportant English Delta chapter. can strive to becomeactive ofUAA’s members Sigma Tau Delta students to interest take in the Englishmajorsothatthey too regalia inMayDelta 2009,andwe hopeto enticefirst-year ofourcurrent willgraduate withSigmaTau members Fifteen Writing Center, and we just upCampus wrapped Kickoff 2008. onceagain.Manymembership tutor inUAA’s ofourmembers you probably have alot incommon! the future andintroduce you to anetwork ofpeoplewithwhom Participating inyour localchapter’s for activitiescanopendoors both feet andpromote communityandscholarly involvement. or faculty advisor,officer I strongly encourage you to jump in with and ischanging the lives ofstudents across the country. together “duty”isbeingdone as linked entities,theimportant The work of professionals inEnglishmyriad whowilluse theirgifts ways. future Englishmajors, NEHS isnurturing IllinoisUniversity.Northern be they chapters of members sponsors, The stories from thechapters generate prideinallthose involved, sponsoring anationalShakespeare competition; andtutoring. homesto readlocal nursing to andwrite letters for theelderly; andwomen; workingstudents andAmericanservicemen in to student encourage writingletters writers; to elementary Some examples oftheoutreach include:holdingcontests efforts to which chapters applytheirtimeandenergy. Goes withHonor” communities. TheNEHSmotto is workin wonderful withintheirschools and the love ofEnglishstudies andare engaged school students whoare passionate about involvingthe country, over 12,000 high Currently, there are 240 chapters across NEHS continuesitsamazinggrowth. society. ( th annualPacific RimConference, andwe willbeexpanding ) , thetwo-year collegeEnglishhonor Understory ; itistrulyinspirationalto learnoftheactivities , , and NEHS is “honorable”; working, andNEHSis “honorable”; University ofAlaska-Anchorage , which willfeature photography, creative Instructor ofEnglish Erica S.Veth Gelast ScealMid Are, “Duty , or the staff at , orthestaff Dave Wendelin

honorees, and International English Honor Society  Student Advisor Student Stephanie Schiefelbein Stephanie University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire University I have a lot to work on. Any of my professors can attest can attest professors of my on. Any work to a lot I have This may be the job I want to turn into a full-time turn into to be the job I want This may I am actually a very I am actually and efficient organized person. During

We encourage chapters to partner with other nearby chapters, chapters, partner to nearby with other encourage chapters We their books to donate As chapters sharing ideas and resources. of the donations running total a will be kept local organization, everyone will allow This book drive nationwide. contributed but in a location that is most same organization, the impact to have may Though we the individual chapters. meaningful to our problems, that no single book will solve the fact accept to effort have our shared that we through will discover we perhaps a thing of fiction. illiteracy make to the power Join in the Book Drive: www.english.org/sigmatd/minneapolis/bookdrive.html will reach out will reach such accomplish nation. To the entire across a national organization will choose a goal, we Individual the U.S. that has locations all over donations can then contribute chapters or located are they of where regardless the convention. attending are they whether coffee with big name authors, and going to lunch with agents with big name authors, lunch coffee and going to is so much there happen eventually, And while that may everyday. but I know a successful editor, becoming that goes into work hard be to every happy day work to do so. I went to the drive I have though Even read. being paid to the idea that I was I loved there. stressful, and at times is competitive becoming a successful editor someday. boss’ chair sitting in my I can see myself the field planning on going into of publishing once are So if you at the opportunity apply for jump to you I suggest graduate, you in, departments can work you so many are There this internship. work to want everyone you whether for is something and there that I did. I am so grateful like or editorial, with art, publicity, make to best I hope I did my and way, came my this internship of myself. I’m proud Delta I know proud. Sigma Tau First: of so many like student, I am a procrastinating year the school every at job I jumped this to when it came However, friends. my tasks my complete opportunity and to new something learn to finished with the hope that once I was as possible, as quickly Everyday challenging. more even do something to get I would more else or learn something read to in with an urge I walked field.about the publishing Second: in a class opinions my voicing no problem I have that fact the to when thing happened But a strange so (a lot). and that I do room they that When I discovered at Penguin. meetings into I walked it. I would give to scared opinion I was about my actually cared sit at a table about what I was with the head boss and be scared nervesme. I think this of the best my get let I would say. going to I is something me it but for intern, might be common with any overcome. to I want know Third: be, but it to I expected life be the glamorous not It may career. a a living. I think I envisioned make to way publishing is a great job with editors sitting in their offices high-paying fancy drinking , find the or discover how to to how or discover Green Eggs and Ham Green . Though I grudgingly admit that Harry Potter, Harry Potter, Intern Job at Penguin at Penguin Job Intern What Can You Do With an English Major? Major? English an With Do You Can What Amy Miller Amy PA Clarion University, Delta Tau things that Sigma Of all the me as a member (friendship, has given

The Giving Tree I started my job as an intern in the Penguin imprint imprint in the Penguin I started job as an intern my

nd

Serve Society by Fostering Literacy Fostering by Serve Society

truly nationwide. Not only will it impact an organization in an organization only will it impact Not truly nationwide. but it convention, city of the spring the host Minneapolis, MN, are the answer to the problem of illiteracy, we are embarking on embarking are we of illiteracy, the problem to the answer are that is hold a book drive going to are We challenge. a new For the 2008-2009 year, because we believe so strongly that books so strongly believe because we the 2008-2009 year, For international convention held each spring. held each convention international have been asked to participate in a national book drive. This participate to in a national book drive. been asked have of the at the sites has benefitted located organizations book drive of you, as members of Sigma Tau Delta, believe in the power of Delta, in the power believe as members of Sigma Tau of you, Delta chapters Sigma Tau year, each is why which books as well, maintain the belief that books have more power than people power more maintain the belief that books have that all I know talking are literacy. about if we especially realize, reading a book, in fact, cannot solve all the troubles we face, I face, we all the troubles a book, solve cannot reading in fact, cure for AIDS while reading AIDS while reading for cure in money grow and poverty wouldn’t exist if one could simply contemplate contemplate if one could simply exist wouldn’t and poverty hunger over world to the answer I wish books could solve all the world’s problems. Hunger, disease Hunger, problems. all the world’s I wish books could solve But of all the knowledge I gained, what impressed me more than me more gained, what impressed I But of all the knowledge the things I learned about myself. were anything Branda Maholtz, who many heard speak at convention in 2008. speak at convention heard Branda Maholtz, who many in publishing a book. Much of this can be attributed to my my to of this can be attributed in publishing a book. Much Delta member included Sigma Tau wonderful which bosses, general knowledge going in, but I came out with a first going in, but I hand general knowledge start happens from finish that really to insight of the work In my brief period with Penguin I learned so much about the I learned so much brief period with Penguin In my made. I had a publishing industry get books really and how I also did a great deal of copying and general that office deal of copying I also did a great work things running smoothly. keep helped to that when I went to the meeting I could explain why we should we why I could explain the meeting to that when I went interns, most should pass on it. Like we or why the book acquire whether or not the books could actually make money. Often money. the books could actually make or not whether sold so they titles and see how competitive research I would discussion, only with these discussions we would talk would about we discussion, only with these discussions Aside from reading, I also attended meetings where we would would we where meetings I also attended reading, Aside from it as a class Think of had been reading. discuss what we been sent in. would want to acquire the paperback rights. At times I would also times I would At rights. the paperback acquire to want would had books that for proposals or even original manuscripts read other publishing companies and determining whether or not we we not or whether and determining companies publishing other of the company. Within this imprint my main responsibility was was responsibility main my this imprint Within of the company. by in hardcover been published titles that had already reading On June 2 about myself and what I wanted to do with my future than I had than I future do with my to and what I wanted about myself of college. years previous three learned in my for the summer. In my ten weeks as an intern I learned more I learned more as an intern weeks ten In my the summer. for cool gear, a great addition to my resume), nothing could be better could be better nothing resume), my addition to a great cool gear, USA, Group, than the opportunity at Penguin be an intern to Grave-robbing Eliot: Hosting a Regional Conference Kyle Baker St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX While searching for an appropriate when presenting their work in class. The resulting product of theme for our regional conference, we that environment is too often an awkward affair, with students exchanged several ideas in the hopes muddling through a reading while nervously defending ideas to that one might immediately separate their peers. In these shadowy corners of performance we choose itself from the pack. With a focus on to direct our energies. performance and presentation, the idea of a spotlight seemed entirely appropriate. However, conference themes of that nature Our workshop sessions will provide attendees with an tend to rely on silly puns and a theatrical sensibility that does not opportunity to present their own work, which of course reflects always seem useful. In a quiet moment, I turned to a well-worn well on their résumé. In addition, attendees will have an volume containing T.S. Eliot poetry. opportunity to meet local authors, members from other chapters in the region, and spend time soaking up the considerable culture His poem “The Hollow Men” has always been a favorite of mine. of the beautiful host city: Austin, Texas, on October 17-19, 2008, While reading it, I thought about the possibility of lifting some at St. Edward’s University. of his words to create a theme. Eliot’s poem, which explores the negative consequences of living ultimately meaningless, violent The conference logo combines these elements together in a lives, elucidates the empty space between the beginnings and striking way, with a bold spotlight revealing our theme’s title. We will explore what exists between ideas and reality, between

International English Honor Society  endings that unite human experience. Lifting the lines out of context is a somewhat dubious strategy, with a long and glorious the motions of academic work and the act of producing new and history written by those tasked with providing inspiring, yet insightful thoughts, and to explore what possibilities exist when generalized, themes for conferences. we set to the task of illuminating shadows.

As inauspiciously as it began, our theme of “Illuminating Attend or even host a Regional Sigma Tau Delta Conference. Shadows” formed around the idea of exploring the process of See: www.english.org./sigmatd/conventions/regional.shtml presenting work, as well as performing original work. Too often, undergraduates are exhorted to be confident and speak loudly Sigma Tau Delta Award Winners 2007-08

E. Nelson James Junior Scholarship Elva Bell McLin Senior Scholarship Stephanie Schiefelbein Julie Milo University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire Flagler College Stephanie is currently a junior pursuing a dual degree in Julie Milo is a recent graduate of Flagler college in St. English and music with a minor in communications. The Augustine, FL where she was president of the Alpha President of the Theta Zeta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. Epsilon Omega chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. She majored in English, and now attends the University of South She has also recently accepted the student advisor position Carolina for an MLIS degree. and looks forward to this greater involvement. Elva Bell McLin Senior Scholarship, Runners-up E. Nelson James Junior Scholarship, Runners-up Chad Iwertz Chelsea Feustel Pepperdine University Furman University Chad is a recent graduate of Pepperdine University, where he was Chelsea is a junior at Furman University, majoring in president of his local Sigma Tau Delta chapter. He is currently English with a concentration in Women’s and taking a year off before beginning graduate studies in Texas next fall. Gender Studies.

Paul Utterback Katherine Regeimbal St. Norbert College Grand Valley State University Paul is an English major with a creative writing emphasis. Katherine Regeimbal is completing her undergraduate He is the Vice President of the Alpha Tau Chapter degree in English at Grand Valley State University focusing of Sigma Tau Delta as well as the Rainbow Alliance. on children’s and young adult literature. She will begin a He works as a student editor for Sigma Tau Delta’s Master of Library Science (MLIS) degree at the University of Maryland in the fall. publications and helps out at the college’s writing center.

Paula Tremain Alison Veneziano Centenary College of New Jersey Penn State Altoona In graduating with her degree in English, Paula looks Coming from rural Drifting, Pennsylvania, Alison found forward to the challenges she will encounter in the herself with much free time to enjoy literature. She has graduate degree program. Thus far, she has developed an been involved in English activities like the yearbook of her appreciation for literature and how it relates to history as small high school, the Literature Club of her university, well as our contemporary moment. Penn State Altoona, and the campus literary magazine. Sigma Tau Delta Award Winners 2007-08 continued International English Honor Society  Edwin L. Stockton, Jr., Graduate Scholarship Kathleen Turner P. C. Somerville Teaching Award Northern Illinois University Jenessa Bonikowske Kathleen is pursuing her PhD in English at Northern Luther College Illinois University; she specializes in American literature, Jenessa is a 2008 graduate of Luther College in Decorah, film, and women’s studies. Her dissertation examines Iowa where she double majored in English and literary and film depictions of marginalized women Psychology. She played and served as team captain for the in American cities. She served as Midwest Student Luther College Women’s golf team and was inducted into Representative and Student Advisor for Sigma Tau Delta Phi Beta Kappa while at Luther. She currently teaches from 2002-2006. English at the secondary level. Edwin L. Stockton, Jr., Graduate Scholarship, Runners-up Jennifer Veilleux Ryan Resch Western Carolina University University of Wisconsin, La Crosse Jennifer Vellieux will complete her MA in December 2008 with a Ryan will be teaching in Zamara, Spain full-time starting concentration in professional writing. She hopes to continue her education in September, and is very excited. He enjoys keeping busy at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO engaging Theology and English. and reading European literature. Jessica Wedemeyer Northern Illinois University Jessica is currently working on her MA in literature with a focus on 19th century British literature. She was the Vice President of the Xi Delta Chapter of Sigma Tau Sigma Tau Delta Study Abroad Scholarship Delta and is the editor-in-chief of Towers Literary and Kathleen Hynes Creative Arts magazine. Jessica teaches composition and The College of New Jersey would like to instruct literature at the community college Kathleen Hynes is an English major and classical studies level. minor at The College of New Jersey. She spent the Sigma Tau Delta Scholarship second semester of her senior year at The National University of Ireland, Galway. Micah Hicks Southern Arkansas University Micah’s long-term goal is to make a career out of his fiction. In the meantime, he hopes to attend an MFA program in fiction writing and teach literature and Kristin Taylor creative writing at the college level. Columbus State University Kristin Taylor is a senior at Columbus State University majoring in English. For her senior year she will be studying abroad at the University of Oxford. After Runner-up Ruth Weeks Johnson University of Alabama, Huntsville graduating, she plans to attend graduate school in English. Henry Regnery Endowed Scholarship Elif Guler Torry James van Slyke Old Dominion University University of Idaho Elif has a BA in International Relations from KOQ Torry was born and raised in Caldwell. He will graduate University in Turkey and an MA in English with from UI in May, 2009 with BAs in philosophy, history, a concentration in professional writing from Old English and Spanish, with minors in economics and Dominion University, where she is a PhD student in religion studies. Rhetoric and Textual Studies.

Henry Regnery Endowed Scholarship, Runner-up High Plains Regent Scholarship Rachel Holtz Denis Illige-Saucier Northern Illinois University University of Denver Rachel is a graduate student pursuing an MA in Denis was born and raised in Denver, CO and is currently British and American literature. She hopes to teach enrolled in the MA in Literary Studies program at the composition at a community college. University of Denver. He has a BFA in Creative Writing and a BA in History from the University of Evansville, where he was the editor-in-chief of the Evansville Eastern Regent Scholarship Review. Kevin Kelley Midwestern Regent Scholarship The College of New Jersey Catherine Barnett Kevin is a senior English major at The College of New Taylor University Jersey. He spent the second semester of his senior year Catherine Barnett plans to graduate in May, 2009 from studying literature at Oxford University in England. Taylor University, where she is an English Education major and a member of the honors program.

Far Western Regent Scholarship Christopher Whittaker Brigham Young University Southern Regent Scholarship Christopher is in his first year at the J. Rueben Clark School of Law, BYU- Vincent Price Provo. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg Vincent Price is a senior English licensure major and Southwestern Regent Scholarship French minor. He served as the Sigma Tau Delta Dawn George president for his chapter during the spring of 2008. After West Texas A&M University graduation, he intends to get his MA degree in English. Dawn is a single parent embarking on a second career. She will complete her MA in 2009 and undertake her PhD soon after. The 2009 Sigma Tau Delta Peter Scholl, Immediate Past President Common Reader: Luther College, IA The International English Honor Society Population 485 Sincerity • Truth • Design Member of the Association of College Honor Societies, The full title of this year’s Sigma Tau Delta “common reader” is Population Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society is 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time (HarperCollins 2002, Perennial 2003) and its chartered in Illinois in accordance with the laws of the author is Michael Perry. In Population 485, Perry writes about his life in a small Wisconsin town United States as a non-profit, educational organization. Founded in 1924, the society serves university and college near the farm where he grew up—then he moved away and earned a degree in nursing, became an chapters, providing recognition for academic excellence in emergency medical technician (EMT), worked in cities at a range of jobs, and, after a dozen or so the study of English. years, returned to his roots. Somewhere along that path he started writing. Executive Committe Robert Crafton, President From his window in downtown New Auburn, Wisconsin—which is near the farm where he (Slippery Rock University, PA) started—Perry could survey most of the comings and goings. But since typing in a room most of Sidney Watson, Vice-President/President-Elect (Oklahoma Baptist University, OK) the day doesn’t always help you meet your neighbors, he signed up for the local volunteer fire Peter Scholl, Immediate Past President department. As a registered nurse and an EMT, he had many of the relevant skills already. And (Luther College, IA) that choice gave him much to write about, introduced him to a cross-section of folks, and offered Shannin Schroeder, Secretary-Treasurer such perks as having to sell tickets for annual fire department fundraisers. (Southern Arkansas University) Carrie Fitzpatrick, Historian (Alvernia College, PA) Though he was never an English major, he has the distinction of being the first EMT in his town Regents to answer his pager from poetry readings, rushing off from literature to conflagrations and carnage Roger Stanley, Southern Region (Union University, TN) on country roads. In fact, his stories about life in New Auburn, Wisconsin, often alternate between Christopher Flynn, Southwestern Region humorous or sweet or pastoral scenes with unforgettable locals—to sudden excursions into gory (St. Edward’s University, TX) episodes when someone has missed a turn and gone airborne and landed hard, maybe for good. Gloria Hochstein, Midwestern Region (University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire) Just when you think things are slowing down and getting contemplative, Perry takes off with Gwendolyn Morgan, High Plains Region explicit and expert accounts of traumatic events that race the blood. (Montana State University-Bozeman, MT) Ralph Speer, Far Western Region (Northwest Nazarene University, ID) Some of the medical detail reminded me of the work of surgeon/author Richard Selzer in the Sarah Dangelantonio, Eastern Region way we get close-ups of life and death situations—but most of Selzer’s trips were to the relatively (Franklin Pierce College, NH) predictable environment of the operating room, while Perry’s trauma tales might happen in Student Advisors the raw moments or hours before the surgeon ever comes into the picture. Though the book is Micah Hicks (Southern Arkansas University) primarily a memoir, composed of stories linked to a place, it would almost make a useful “how to” Stephanie Schiefelbein book for prospective EMTs or would-be volunteer fire people. (University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire) Alumni Representative Daniel P. Hardy At least one reviewer compares Perry’s look at his Wisconsin environs to Garrison Keillor’s visions (University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire) of Lake Wobegon. Both writers are wry and funny and sometimes sentimental about the American Executive Director village. But Perry actually lives in his small town and his accounts are grittier, informed by day-to- William C. Johnson (Northern Illinois University) day encounters with his farmer brothers and the crowd at the Corner Tap—and there is that whole Director of NEHS non-English major education and world of experience fighting fires and cinching up traction Dave Wendelin splints that gets us closer than Keillor gets into the starker sides of rural life, closely observed. (Northern Illinois University) Director of Communications & Chapter Development Deb Seyler Perry’s book is a great choice for our Common Reader since this Sigma Tau Delta project was (Northern Illinois University) created by the Service Committee, and Perry has been doing a lot of public service: nurse, EMT, Website Facilitator volunteer fire fighter—and let’s not forget writer, a chronicler of life in a small place, minutely and Elfrida Gabriel (Northern Illinios University) sensitively observed which makes it resonate for readers everywhere. Publications Karlyn Crowley, Editor Bridgette Flasch Paul Utterback, Editoral Interns Preview of Michael Perry’s new book COOP Jennifer Scharenbrock, Graphic Intern (St. Norbert College, WI) In the company of our six-year-old daughter Amy, my wife Anneliese and I have recently moved to a farm. I would like to present some sort of grand agrarian charter, but the whole deal is The Sigma Tau Delta Newsletter is published twice during the academic year (fall and spring) by Sigma Tau Delta predicated mainly on the idea of having chickens. We are not alone in this: These Troubled International. News items and queries should be addressed Times seem to have precipitated a fowl renaissance. Mail carriers labor under the increased load to: Editor of Publications, English Department, St. Norbert of multicolored hatchery catalogs, the latest issue of Backyard Poultry, and perforated mailing College, De Pere, WI 54115, or [email protected]. containers that peep. Drop the term chicken tractor and behold the knowing nods. The online Copyright © 2008 Sigma Tau Delta International English world is alive with Subaru-driving National Public Radio supporters trading tips on eco-friendly Honor Society. Executive Office, Department of English, coop construction and the pros and cons of laying mash; my NASCAR-loving brother-in-law Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115 or tenderly minds a box of chicks beneath a heatlamp in his garage; my biker bar bouncer-turned- [email protected]. Website www.english.org. Zen Buddhist pal Billy and his wife the nurse’s aide are building their second backyard coop with Sigma Tau Delta is grateful for the continuing generous an eye toward expanding into “ornamentals.” Anecdotal evidence to be sure, and a drop in the assistance of Christopher McCord, Dean of the College of Colonel’s bucket, but something is afoot. The subject of chickens was raised between my wife and Liberal Arts and Sciences, (Northern Illinois University); and Michael Marsden, Vice President of Academic Affairs me fairly early in our courtship, and has sustained us. We are enthused by the idea of fresh eggs, and Dean of the College, (St. Norbert College). Third-class homegrown coq a vin, and (at least until butchering day) a 24-hour turnaround on the compost. postage paid at DeKalb, IL, and elsewhere. In addition, it is my longstanding opinion that entertainment-wise, chickens beat TV. Postmaster: Send address changes to Sigma Tau Delta, English Department, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Excerpt from COOP: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting (HarperCollins, Spring 2009) by Michael Perry; IL 60115.