5 Things You May Not Know About Running A Better World Books Campus Book Drive

by Lauren Brandeberry
Associate Alumni Representative, 2011-2012

1. It’s not too late to get started!

Most chapters time their drives with the end of the semester, as students sell back their used books and clean out their dorms. Even if finals are already underway (or even over), it’s not too late to pull off a successful book drive. There is still time to get collection bins placed at area book stores for textbook buyback, and to contact dorms about placing collection bins in the hallways or volunteering to help with clean-out. Chapters that have not yet received their orange and green Better World Books collection bins may need to create makeshift bins rather than wait for delivery, but there is nothing to stop them from going out and collecting books right now.

Even more importantly, one of the best sources of used books is just getting underway: professor office clean-outs. Professors collect an enormous number of unwanted (and unused) books over the years, and many chapters find that donations from professors are one of the best sources of books around. Professors often try to clean out their offices after the semester is over, preparing for the new one, and they love offers to help with the cleaning. Get the word out now with fliers, and have a few members commit to sticking around for a few days after finals or coming back a few days before next semester begins to lend professors a hand with boxing up books and taking papers to the recycling bin. It will be well worth the effort.

Better World Books asks for books to be sent in by December 31 to count toward fall book drive totals, but they accept books all year round and books collected in January may still be included in the check for the fall drive. Contact a Better World Books account representative for more information. And don’t forget, it’s never too soon to start thinking about a spring drive!

2. Better World Books campus book drives are completely turn-key operations.

One of the reasons it is not too late to start a drive is because they are “turn-key” operations, meaning Better World Books provides chapters with everything they need to get started right out of the box. Each chapter is assigned an account manager who can provide supplies, guidance, and support. The account manager can help figure out the most effective strategy to get the most out of the short amount of time left. They provide posters, collection bins, shipping boxes (and prepaid mailing labels), and any other supplies a chapter needs. The account manager will even help chapters contact professors and administrators on campus, determine if drives are being run at other local schools, and help with media relations. Any chapter with willing volunteers can get a drive started today by emailing campus@betterworldbooks.com.

3. A Better World Books campus book drive is a fund raiser AND a service project.

Everyone knows Better World Books campus book drives raise money for your local chapter and for Sigma Tau Delta International. Every accepted book earns $1 for the chapter. Last spring alone Sigma Tau Delta chapters raised nearly $15,000 for their local chapters and $4,500 for the Society, which goes to fund events like the annual convention. Eta Theta Chapter from Wayland Baptist University brought in the most accepted books of any Sigma Tau Delta chapter at 1,805, raising $2,260 for their chapter.

What many people don’t realize is that these book drives also help fund literacy programs around the world AND help improve the environment. Each chapter selects one of Better World Books 6 international literacy partners to be the beneficiary of their drive. For every accepted book sold, a portion of the proceeds goes directly to that literacy partner. To date, Better World Books has raised over $10.5 million for literacy programs and libraries around the world.

All books collected, whether they are resold, donated directly, or recycled, are kept out of landfills and put to their best possible use. Over the lifetime of our partnership with Better World Books, Sigma Tau Delta has reused or recycled over 109,000 books. That has saved the lives of an estimated 2,095 trees and prevented the wasting of nearly 1 million gallons of water. These book drives do more than put some much-needed cash in a chapter’s coffers; they have a significant social and environmental impact.

4. In addition to raising money, chapters can win prizes and recognition.

Every chapter that participates in a Better World Books drive will receive a certificate of recognition and an environmental impact report that can be displayed on a website or the English Department bulletin board. These come in handy when it comes time to report chapter activities to the school and make funding requests for next year. The top 25 drives will also be recognized on Facebook.

Top drives in various categories are also eligible to win prizes including Better World Books t-shirts, a $100 donation to the charity of their choice, or a $500 gift certificate to BetterWorldBooks.com.

Finally, the student in charge of the drive that sends the most accepted books will win an all-expenses paid international trip with one of Better World Books literacy partners, so they can see first-hand the impact these drives are having.

5. Students who participate in a drive are eligible to apply for the Better World Books exclusive paid Sigma Tau Delta summer internship.

Better World Books offers an exclusive paid summer internship every year to a Sigma Tau Delta member who has participated in at least one book drive. This is not a “get me coffee and pick up my dry cleaning” internship either. This is six weeks in Better World Books’ main office in Alpharetta, GA. Past interns report meeting with important people inside the company, learning all about its various operations, doing real research, and gaining invaluable experience.

To get a better feel for what the Better World Books Summer Internship is all about, check out this blog article by 2011 Intern Becky Cressy and this interview with 2010 Intern Kerrin Epstein.

The deadline for applications is January 31, 2012, plenty of time to pull off a last minute book drive (remember to take lots of pictures), and then write up a great little story about that challenge to go with your application. Details about the application process can be found at http://www.english.org/sigmatd/awards/internships/bwb.shtml

The NaNoWriMo Pulse-Check (or Lack Thereof)

By Katherine Williams
Southwestern Region Associate Student Representative, 2011-2012

So far, the development of my novel for NaNoWriMo has gone as slowly as expected. A mere couple of weeks until graduation, all my professors have made an unwritten, unbeknownst agreement that a) English majors don’t have a life; b) all English majors have too much time on their hands; and c) students must not have jobs or something, so let’s assign them more work! Oh yeah, and they all came to this decision without the consent of their students. So here I am, three days late on keeping everyone up-to-date the next “great American novel” (actually the next great American dystopia, more on that), while my creative endeavor gathers dust.

However, I won’t make excuses (because I’m sure everyone has got one); I managed to add two new chapters so far, and I’m working on the tone that will guide the novel and the series of books I want to write after these. Here’s my story in a nutshell: it’s a dystopian/apocalyptic setting with more animal characters than human ones. Try to imagine Gulliver’s Travels, Oryx and Crake, and Watership Down in one room, and that would be my novel. I’m not usually a fan of apocalyptic literature, but I’m managing to incorporate several artistic and literary references to flesh out the story and the significance of setting for the characters. I’ve also decided to include images from World War I into the novel, although most of the novel takes place one hundred years in the future. In short, it has an epic scope, which means I need to brush up on my history; I’m currently taking a class called Literature of the World Wars, which has come to influence my writing quite a bit.

Since a good chunk of the story is in screenplay-form, I’ve got most of the dialogue already written down, which turns out to be very helpful because now I can focus more on setting and tone rather than trudging through what characters are saying to each other.
All in all, I have not made much more progress this November than I did last year, but the holidays are coming soon, so maybe I’ll get a chance to catch up?

Total word count: 6,414

Confessions of English Majors

Joseph Asbury
Far Western Associate Student Representative, 2011-2012
Utah State University

Five confessions as an English Major

1. I still like math. It is your friend, but you might not realize it.
2. I get to explore the world and time travel through books.
3. As a future teacher, I will get to share what I enjoy with my students.
4. Movies can be (and should be) viewed as literature.
5. The environments in English (and other humanities) classes are so welcoming
to everyone.


Nick Miller
High Plains Associate Student Representative, 2011-2012
Chadron State College

The Utterly True Confessions of an English Major

1. I spend more nights trying to decipher Henry James' Portrait of a Lady than hanging out with my friends.
2. By my third year of college, I have effectively replaced my blood with black coffee.
3. Studying Shakespeare makes me chain smoke.
4. I devote more time to reading and writing than body-builders devote to lifting weights.
5. Every night, I wrestle with the temptation to consult the “cheat-codes” of literature: Sparknotes.
6. Alexander Pope puts me to sleep faster than any cold medicine.
7. Whenever I walk into my room I nearly trip on the piles of books and papers that litter the floor.
8. You cannot sit in the backseat of my car because, like my room, it has essentially become my locker.
9. Most of the people I look up to died 100 years ago.
10. Procrastination is my most active habit and worst enemy.


Allie Martin
Southern Region Associate Student Representative, 2011-2012
Freed-Hardeman University

I, like most of you I’m sure, feel that my decision to become an English major was a brilliant move. But, I must admit, sometimes we English majors are misunderstood. In an effort to amend some of the rift created between the world and us, I asked my fellow English majors what their “confessions” to other majors would be:

1. I judge people when they use poor grammar.
2. I don’t like Jane Austen.
3. Whenever I say "good" or "well," I have a moment of panic where I have to go back mentally and make sure I've used them correctly.
4. I refuse to text ungrammatically.
5. Instead of getting songs stuck in my head, I get words stuck in my head.
6. I use Sparknotes too; I just lie about it.
7. I'm closer to the characters in my favorite books than I am to "real" people.
8. I hear words the way they're spelled. In my head there's a big distinction between "your" and "you're."
9. When I hear or see a word I don't know, I have the uncontrollable need to find its definition. It will drive me nuts if I don't know.
10. I have a compulsive need to tell everyone that I am an English major so that they know I am smarter than they are.
11. If I make a mistake in a social networking post, I delete it, fix the error, and post again. Once, I reposted a tweet four times before I finally got it right.


Some of these may ring true to your heart—I know I can certainly relate. In addition though, I’d like to add a few of my own.

1. I wholeheartedly believe that the book is always better than the movie. Always.
2. I sometimes go into bookstores simply to smell the books. No reading required.
3. Although I try not to be a complete grammar snob, I do judge when people say “anyways” and “backwards.” What is our infatuation with making things sound plural?
4. I don’t just sit around waiting for people to send me their papers to edit… but I do get a sort of superiority complex when they do.
5. I’m okay with ending a sentence with a preposition.
6. I think an English major is the best there is.

There isn’t a single way you can define being an English major, but a comment by a non-English major student in my Women Writer’s class may come close: “I’m not an English major, but I wish I were. Y’all guys are cool!”
And really, doesn’t everybody feel that way?

NaNoWriMo Kickoff: Or, What Did I Just Get Myself Into?

Katherine Williams

Southwestern Region Associate Student Representative, 2011-2012

Even through the glitter and fake wigs from a hung-over Halloween party, November rears its head. For many writers or writing enthusiasts, November is a significant month because it kicks off the annual National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short. By the end of the month, writers across the country will have completed a 50,000-word manuscript. This year, I’ve decided to take part in the writing festivities, but before I’ve even started, I’m wondering—what have I just gotten myself into?

For one, November has got to be the most stressful time of year for college students, especially for English or Creative Writing majors (as the glutton of punishment that I am, I happen to be both). November is that deep gasp of air before a student dives into a plethora of projects, papers, and other various assignments that professors give out like cheap candy. Usually, there’s nothing due in the first three weeks of November, but this is the time of year when Interlibrary Loan books must get into our hands, paper outlines must be made (figuring out what to write a ten-plus-page paper on must subsequently be figured out), and projects have got to get started before Thanksgiving holiday.

And don’t even TELL me about Thanksgiving holiday! For many students, this is the ideal time to finish projects, because professors like to make them all due the week following Thanksgiving, right before finals week. However, I like to call Thanksgiving holiday Work-Forty-Plus-Hours-In-A-Week-Eat-Some-Food-And-Try-To-Hibernate-Break. Since I work at a movie theater, any length of time considered to be a holiday is the time when I have to work the most. And since movie companies know that students (other than I) are on break, they like to release hugely popular films the week prior to Thanksgiving break: this year, on the same day, will be the release of Twilight Breaking Dawn, Part 1 AND Happy Feet 2 in 3D. Let’s just say that the only thing I will be able to finish that weekend is a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke and a cabinet-full of stress food. But that’s just me.

In short, NaNoWriMo, in motion in November, occurs in the most inconvenient time to write a novel. And yet I’m going to do it anyway. Not because I happen to like stressing myself out, but because I’ve decided that I can no longer wait for the “perfect” time to write a novel. This year, the “perfect” time has moved from Spring Break to summer vacation to my days off, until once again I haven’t worked on the story at all. NaNoWriMo gives me a deadline, albeit a frighteningly unattainable one, that will force me to make time to write my novel.

On to the novel…

The story I want to work on this year is something I’ve wanted to write for years, but never felt like I was ready to write it: not enough characters, not enough knowledge of mythology or themes, not enough literary experience, etc. I got started on it last year, writing only three or four chapters, then submitted the draft as part of my Senior Project for Creative Writing. Later I found out that my professor thought the story idea was terrible, and he suggested that “perhaps it would make an okay movie.”

Funny he said that, because I did end up using the story for my screenwriting class this spring. My professor, who is himself a screenwriter, actually liked the story in its film version and strongly advised me to finish it (it’s still only two-thirds finished). So now I’ve got a novel idea that’s been fleshed out in its film version, with the novel format barely even started. At least I can go back to the screenplay and use the dialogue there; that way, the novel version will be faithful to the film, and I’ve already got some of the work done. The screenplay is about 65 pages, which equals a little over an hour (one page in a screenplay equals about a minute of screen time).

I can’t guarantee that I can make the 50,000-word requirement (although I do believe in miracles). I hope that my experience with writing the novel will give other writers an idea on what it takes to write a full-length book. Sometimes it seems as though the biggest problem is not writing the book, but making yourself write it. It is all the more difficult for a college student who has a job and other extracurricular activities to attend to; plus that thing called a life, which I haven’t seen since the summer. But in hindsight, I know that writers are also busy, with their children, other jobs, their spouses, and that life thing, too. And I’ll bet that many of you Sigma Tau Delta members are also busy and probably as overwhelmed as I am. I’m not quite at the hair-pulling stage yet, but I did have a minor rage-fit the other day, so a mini-meltdown may be imminent.
On that note, let’s write a novel! Happy NaNoWriMo everyone!

“Deadlines, I love deadlines. I love the sound they make as they go whoosh-ing past.”

–Julie and Julia

Total words written: 4,176 (?) of original draft; 68-69 screen-pages (about an hour)

Scholarship Submissions

Kelsey Hixson-Bowles

Student Advisor, 2011-2012
sigmatd.sa1@gmail.com

One of the greatest benefits we, as members of Sigma Tau Delta, have is the opportunity to apply for a range of scholarships. The amount of money awarded for each scholarship varies, with the highest being $5,000! It does not come easy, though. The scholarship committee really puts you to work before they dish out the dough. Lucky for you, they also take a lot of time to write excellent documents to support you through the application process.

Perhaps we should pause here for a moment. I would like to emphasize that this truly is a process. There is a well-thought out list of tasks for you to complete and timing matters. If you have not started yet, start now. Slice out some time between writing papers, picking out classes for next semester, and reading to acquaint yourself with the Sigma Tau Delta Scholarship Submission Process.



First things first: pick out your scholarships. See what you are eligible for and read about what is required. There is continuity between the scholarship applications, so if you are eligible for more than one, you don’t have to do too much extra work. Before jumping in, though, you must be nominated by your chapter. Let your chapter sponsor know that you plan to apply. If there are many students from your chapter applying, you may need to set up a nomination meeting. (Only three students from each chapter can apply for each scholarship.)



Got that done? Great. Moving right along. Now you will want to think about what goes into a stellar application. Read through Tips to Create a Winning Application for ideas and motivation. As you’ll see in the document, one of the most important things is to start early. Scholarship readers can tell when you’ve written your application in a hurry.



Further, please be mindful that professors writing your letters of recommendation will appreciate the gift of time. Since their recommendation for you needs to be received by November 15, make sure you request today (or ASAP) that they compose a letter on your behalf.



The platform for scholarship applications has changed since last year. We are now using STARS (Scholarship Tracking and Review System), a program that is easy to use and has all sorts of cool features under the hood. You can create a log-in and password and save your application at any point to come back to it later. Here is some more important information to read through before you get started: Five Things You Need To Know About STARS. Attached to that site is a list of instructions. They are so important that I’m linking to them here and here and here  just to make sure you read them. Think of these instructions as a sort of check-list/FAQ hybrid. Infinitely helpful.  



Meet the deadline. November 8. Burn it in your memories, highlight it in your calendars, and set an alarm on your phone. Late applications are not accepted.



Finally, don’t forget the other opportunities for awards and money that are due on November 8. Chapter Project Grant applications are also due November 8. If your chapter is doing something similar to these chapters, you should think about applying! The application process is different from the scholarship application process, so read through the instructions thoroughly.



Remember that our convention theme is Reawaken (this will show up in the application questions). Although Thoreau’s words are taken out of context, I found this (half of a) quote to serve as motivation to polish and complete our applications. So I leave you with this:

“We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake...” -Henry David Thoreau

A Weekend of History and Literature in Red Cloud, Nebraska

Nick Miller
High Plains Associate Student Representative, 2011-2012
Chadron State College

Wind sweeping through the prairie was always a very calming image to me, and I was utterly mesmerized by the “Willa Cather Memorial Prairie.”  The vastly empty and calming stretch of land before me was a stark contrast to the town only a few miles away. This was a recurring feeling as I felt the town itself seemed to be straddling two different time periods. One foot was in 2011 and the other was in 1886, and while there was not a foreboding or melancholy sense in Red Cloud, definitely something declared its presence. The way these extremely old and historical buildings and the modern businesses were juxtaposed made this point clear as we wandered to Cather's actual childhood home.

We gathered in hushed voices as we walked through Cather's old home, and to the credit of the Willa Cather Foundation, the house was full of the furniture and dishes that the Cathers used.  I found especially moving that Willa’s grandmother’s tiny shoes were sitting perfectly next to the bed as if waiting patiently to receive their mistress’ feet. A feeling of reverence washed over me as I took in that ancient air. While everyone was indeed respectful, there was also a tinge of excitement as we walked through multiple historic buildings, especially the Harling House which was full of old paintings and dishes from its original residents (the Miners).

We did not just simply sightsee, however, and we covered quite a lot of ground in just two days. The first night started out with a very insightful presentation by the keynote speaker Dr. Andrew Jewell (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) about a publication that he is working on which features many of Willa Cather's previously unreleased letters. These letters paint a fascinating picture that fleshes out Cather's mysterious character. Following the keynote address was a common reader discussion on Willa Cather's novella “Old Mrs. Harris.” Many people contributed very thoughtful details regarding this novella, and the discussion itself was almost bursting with its array of opinions.

The following day we had the choice either to volunteer help for the Willa Cather Foundation or watch a documentary on Willa Cather. I decided to go with the Willa Cather Foundation because we got to have a behind the scenes look into rooms and buildings that are not open to the general public at this moment. Aside from lifting the heaviest shelves on this side of the Missouri River, the experience was very rewarding, and I am glad that we had the opportunity to lend a hand.

Later that evening was a poetry reading by a fantastic Slam Poet from Omaha, Nebraska, Matt Mason. “Energetic” does not begin to describe the dynamic reading that this very vocal poet treated the audience with. There were moments in his poetry reading that he would raise his voice as if there were no microphone in front of him, and suddenly drop his voice to a near whisper.

This conference was my first regional Sigma Tau Delta experience, and it was refreshing being around so many people that have a passion for literature. Many great things are happening in the High Plains Region, and I cannot wait to see what everyone brings to the table in New Orleans.

What is a Roundtable?

Lauren Brandeberry
Associate Alumni Representative, 2011-2012

Ever since submissions opened for the 2012 Sigma Tau Delta International Convention, many people have been asking, “What happened to panel submissions, and what are these new roundtables?” Roundtables are the same thing as what used to be called “panels.” They have simply been renamed to help clarify their purpose.

At many other academic conferences, the term “panel” refers to a group of papers presented at the same time in the same room. At our conventions, these are called paper sessions. Panels at our conventions were not for papers but for topic discussions. But many people were confused. So, this year panels have been re-branded to better reflect what they were always supposed to be: roundtable discussions.

Roundtables are not the place to present papers, even if a chapter has 4 or 5 papers on the same topic. Roundtables are a way for people to share their expertise or experience and then to facilitate a dialogue with the audience members.

Roundtables can be presented by one chapter, or, even better, by members of several chapters working together. For example, a roundtable could be made up of all the officers from one chapter talking about their experiences publishing a journal, or it could be the chief editors of four different chapter journals comparing notes.

The people submitting the roundtable should be prepared to answer in-depth questions about a particular topic and to stimulate conversation by asking thought-provoking questions of the audience and to invite the audience members to contribute to the discussion. Roundtables might start off with a short presentation, but the main goal is not to give a one-sided presentation. It is to encourage engaged and productive discussion and collaboration between the presenters and the audience.

Roundtables are evaluated separately from papers, so members are eligible to submit a roundtable proposal even if they have already submitted two works (critical paper or creative work) as well. As a result of fewer than usual presentation rooms in our 2012 hotel, competition will be fierce for getting a roundtable proposal accepted. So it is imperative that you read the instructions closely. They can be found at http://www.englishconvention.org/sigmatd/conv/roundtables.html

One other thing that is different is that, starting this year, roundtable submissions require both a short abstract and a longer description of the topic. So don’t wait until the last minute. Make sure you know exactly what you want to talk about and why you think it would be a good addition to the convention program.

Special consideration will be given to roundtables that discuss the common reader and to roundtables that involve members of more than one chapter, so those are some things to keep in mind if you want to give your proposal that extra push.

Roundtables are always interesting and engaging, and I look forward to seeing what great ideas people come up with this year. If you haven’t done it already, start talking to your friends about creating a roundtable submission today. The deadline is November 1, 11:59 p.m.

Associate Student Representative Bio - Nick Miller

Nick Miller

High Plains Associate Student Representative, 2011-2012
Chadron State College

Expected Date of Graduation: May 2014
Positions, other memberships, offices, etc., currently or recently held:
President of CSC chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, Campus Activity Board Representative for CSC chapter of Sigma Tau Delta.

Hello Everyone!

I first stumbled into the Sigma Tau Delta organization  when I was a wide-eyed freshman, amazed at the professionalism of my peers and professors alike, and equally amazed at the literary prowess these individuals carried. The chapter president decided I would become the Campus Activities Board Representative for the group,  which is an important position for a underclassman to have. As the CAB Rep I had to ensure that the club would get money from the school to host activities (such as Open Mic), and, of course, I was nervous.

Once I began to feel more comfortable with the responsibilities that were bestowed upon me, I wanted to become more involved with the club. It was almost like an addiction. I remember waking up at night debating with myself about which brand of fake spider webs would look better on the podium for Scream Slam (CSC's Halloween themed Open Mic), or which poem to open with at Open Mic. Often I could be seen running around the English Department offices, in a state of bewilderment, trying to print fliers, or running around campus with bucket of chalk in tow to advertise some upcoming event. Eventually I made my way to president (or as my fellow Sigma Tau Delta members at CSC call me, “El Presidente”) and I was determined to do two things: get more English majors involved in Sigma Tau Delta, and figure out how this organization works on a society level.

I am going to sound pretty daft by saying this, but, until a few months ago, I was completely in the dark as to how this English Honor society actually ran. I knew that there was some form of hierarchy above chapter president, but I simply never looked into it. Dr. Miller really pushed me to become more involved with the club, and I took his advice out of a combination of curiosity and a desire to get outside myself. Recently I went to my first Sigma Tau Delta regional conference, and I met some really great people who had a profound level of love for literature. This experience was really inspiring, and gave me that final push to nominate myself for Associate Student Representative. I am very grateful that I was accepted into the position of Associate Student Representative, and I promise that I will work hard with the Student Representative to spread the word about Sigma Tau Delta.

Board Meeting Reflection 5

MeKoi Scott
Southern Region Student Representative, 2011-2012
Auburn University, Montgomery

Participating in and contributing to the Board meeting in New Orleans increased my appreciation for Sigma Tau Delta as an organization. This meeting was my first opportunity to experience firsthand the internal decision-making process of an organization. I was pleased and impressed by the effort and enthusiasm that went into the discussions over the three-day period. The Board truly does its best to provide Sigma Tau Delta members with as many rewarding opportunities as possible, from increasing available awards and scholarship amounts to facilitating unique experiences. I look forward to continuing to work with other regional representatives as we do our best to contribute to Sigma Tau Delta's mission.

Board Meeting Reflection 4

Sarah Faulkner
Far Western Region Student Representative, 2011-2012
Chapman University

The Big Easy, NOLA, Nawlins, and The Crescent City: all different names for one amazing city! The people are incredibly friendly; the minute I got off the plane everyone was asking me how I was and if I needed anything.  The Marriott is a gorgeous hotel, with the swanky lobby and high-tech elevators, beautiful pool and spacious rooms! After the amazing work done by the Board, I was thrilled to see the city! Bourbon Street, Frenchmen Street, the St. Charles Streetcar, Seafood Festival, it was all fantastic!  It is a perfect spot for our convention, very literary and full of character and inspiration! I'm looking forward to going back soon for more beignets and coffee, and, of course, more time with the wonderful people of Sigma Tau Delta!

Board Meeting Reflections Part 3

Janine, the High Plains Student Representative, wrote a creative response to her experience at the Fall Board meeting. While she used this for class, it is also a great example of what you could submit for convention (more on that later). We really like Janine's references to the music of New Orleans -- something you almost take for granted while you're there, but that is so central to the energy of the city.

We hope you enjoy! --Allie and Kelsey

Janine Brooks
High Plains Student Representative, 2011-2012
University of Nebraska, Omaha

Reawakened, New Orleans’ Way

My feet, already exhausted from the never-ending tread across sidewalks made of roughly laid redbrick and fractured sections of weathered slate, are eager for something new to attract my attention that would require me to sit down. I am in the midst of a large group of student leaders from Sigma Tau Delta. We are wandering the streets of New Orleans in our efforts to find a trolley stop so we can see the Garden District.

As we near Charles Street, we stop to orient ourselves with where we are. Faintly, in the distance, the sound of Dixie beckons us forward to join in its excitement. One of the girls says, “Hey all, let’s go see what is going on!” Not one of us objects to the idea, so we all head in the direction of the noise.

“Oh when the saints go marching in, when the saints go marching in.”

The words, uplifting and refreshing, yank at my heartstrings. My body willfully stirs about bending occasionally at the knees, permitting the arms to wave freely, and granting the fingers permission to snap in response to the beat. Little left that my feet can do, so sore and tired, yet they dance forward in anticipation. I am eager to immerse myself into this culture—I wish to be caressed into the sweetness of all those trumpets, trombones, clarinets, and drums that are filling the air with their rhythmic romance.

The park, bulging beyond capacity with people, is vibrant in its multitude of colors. As we push our way through the crowds, a wild man suddenly emerges before us. Dressed fully from head to toe in minute seed beads of sanguine colors, his body sways back and forth in motion to the music. Upon his face is a magnificent mask made of hundreds of feathers dyed in shades of deep purple, blood red, and pitch black. Laughing, he looks at me as he invites me to join him in his dance. I shake my head: “No.” Afraid of being alone, I hurry away to catch up with the group who has already walked away.

“And when the sun refuse to shine, And when the sun refuse to shine.”

People pack themselves about the stage swaying to the song of the South; the sound seems to permeate their souls. A dark man, shirtless with streams of sweat rolling down his back, has thrown his spirit fully into the music. He flips himself forward and then backward through the air, in a variety of somersaults. He then throws his body to the ground as he squats in preparation for a giant leap straight up as high as he can go. The crowd roars and he lets the jazz move him further to repeat those same crazy steps.

Trudging forward with my friends, we stand in line to purchase something cold to drink at a margarita stand. While waiting for everyone, I look about at the variety of food and liquor stands, craft booths, and tarot reading stations. Above the stage is draped a white banner laced in black letters that says “Seafood Festival.”

Sadly, I walk away with my group while regretting the fact that time always pushes one forward, and never permits an individual to languish. That sweet Dixie sound draws a tear from my eye as I reluctantly leave the event. As I move further away from the park, I am drawn to a scene before me that leaves me the helpless witness; I cannot move. A somewhat squat figure, half-covered in cherry dreadlocks running down to the buttocks, seems preoccupied with something possibly sitting on a marble ledge.

A voice calls out to me: “Janine, hurry up. We all want to get on the trolley.”

I shake my head and walk forward towards the group ahead of me, but I keep my eyes on the oddity. And then I see the truth. It is not a creature of the night confused and walking about in the daylight, but rather a female clown who is face-painting a child’s face. Her deft fingers move quickly as she decorates the boy’s cheek with a handful of balloons. The boy grins as he awaits the finished product, his head tilted willingly to the right to permit the clown to do her magic.
A man stands next to the boy, a twinkle in his eyes as he patiently whistles: “Oh Lord, I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in.”

Board Meeting Reflections Part 2

Amy Woody
Eastern Region Student Representative, 2011-2012
Westfield State University

All that Jazz

What happens at a Board meeting? It's a legitimate question. I had never been to a Board meeting before. Will I have to speak? Will I get to vote? These were all questions I had on my mind when I boarded the plane to go to the Sigma Tau Delta Board meeting in New Orleans.

As it turns out, Board meetings are kind of awesome. The first portion of our time in New Orleans was spent attending committee meetings. This was one of my favorite parts. I remember a moment at the Pittsburgh convention when someone was explaining how being a student leader really gives you the opportunity to have a say in important matters regarding the organization. This is without a doubt true! Every committee chair was so interested in what the students had to say and so eager to hear if the students had any ideas. Students really do have a voice in this organization; realizing that was pretty incredible.

New Orleans, by the way, is full of personality. The food's delicious, the people are hospitable, and the jazz is everywhere. We spent time riding the street car through the city, meeting locals and other tourists, and just looking at houses so characteristic of New Orleans.

Though I am happy to be home with my family, I miss New Orleans because there is something electric about being with a group of like-minded individuals who want to work with you to achieve common goals. There is also something comforting about being with fellow English nerds. Who else is willing to chat with me about Baudrillard while sauntering down the streets of New Orleans? No one.

Is it February yet?

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Reflections on the 2011 Fall Board of Directors meeting

Alexandra Reznik
Student Advisor, 2011-2012
Duquesne University

and

Kelsey Hixson-Bowles
Student Advisor, 2011-2012
Kansas State University

"Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?"

Indeed, Louis, we do. During this year's Fall Board Meeting, the Student Leadership Committee scoped out the intoxicating sights, smells and tastes of this vibrant southern city. We also met and collaborated in committee meetings to plan for the next year's convention. Included below is a preview of what you can expect.

We still plan to include all of the traditional Sigma Tau Delta conference favorites, from the Open Mic on Wednesday night, Dry T-Shirt and Bad Poetry Contest on Thursday night, in-hotel events (TBD) for Friday night, and the Student Leadership Reception and Gala on Saturday night.

Student Leadership will also be hosting workshops during the convention to satisfy all interests from exploring the infinite career possibilities with an English or creative writing degree, to applying to graduate school, to building inter-chapter relations, to a Student Leadership roundtable where you will have the opportunity to connect with your Student Advisors, Student Representatives, and Associate Student Representatives.


Don't know who your regional student leaders are? Click here to learn more about them.

With all of these activities we hope to (going along with this year's conference theme) "Reawaken" your interests and involvement with Sigma Tau Delta. The animated city of New Orleans will also reawaken your literary interests, as it is the home city of Truman Capote and Anne Rice.
We can't help but emphasize that your taste buds will be rejuvenated as well. Student Leaders visited amazing restaurants such as Red Fish Grill (famous for oysters and sausage alligator gumbo).



If you're interested in an elite dining experience, visit The Court of the Two Sisters (an expansive menu including shrimp and grits, escargot and delicious drinks).



You can't leave New Orleans without visiting the original French Market stand Cafe du Monde where you can get ridiculously amazing (and cheap!) beignets and coffee.



And for those of you of age...beware of the local specialty drink, the hurricane.



We look forward to seeing you this February, where you will get to answer Louis' question for yourself!

Over the next few days we will be posting reflections from Student Leadership. Please enjoy the first of this series below:

“New Orleans is a splendid mix of old and new sprinkled liberally throughout the city.  The food is exceptionally good, whether it's a little hole in the wall or a 5-star restaurant.  The people are every bit as warm as a bowl of gumbo!  They couldn't be nicer. 
Needless to say, I'm looking forward to convention--if nothing else, to get another crawfish etoufee omelet!”

–Deborah Dessaso, Alumni Representative

Convention Stories

Jolie Hicks
Southwestern Region Student Representative, 2011-2012

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Beyond Words:  The Convention of Opportunity

The blue shuttle bus, traveling to downtown Pittsburgh, was packed full of highly intellectual college students invited to attend the annual Sigma Tau Delta Convention.  Most American buses would be abuzz with incessant chit-chat and laughter from demonstrative university students, looking for the next person they can add to their contact list on the most popular social network.  However, this particular airport shuttle was so quiet that the fear and anticipation held by these introverted creatures were almost palpable. These students were walking into the unknown, were embarking on a journey, and were willingly going to present their personal pieces of literature to other like-minded individuals, with the hope that they had something enlightening to offer.  As an English student, I have been labeled by many people as an introverted bookworm, full of dreamy ideas and thoughts that only a few people can hope to ever understand.  At first, these descriptions seemed negative, almost derogatory, making me feel like an odd duck, yet after examining my surroundings at the convention and meeting so many other compatible people, I began to understand that my passion for words is shared with other creative minds and I am privileged to be a member of an amazing reading and writing community, Sigma Tau Delta.   

Scanning the convention brochure, I noticed that each session at the convention was strategically organized and perfectly categorized by imaginative writing themes and impressive titles, and I was completely excited to find my name listed, too! Immediately, in my type-A way, I began making a list of each session that sounded intriguing to me, generating an eagerness to participate in my very first Sigma Tau Delta Convention.  After sitting through several presentations, I found myself speechless and awestruck by the incredible talent assembled under one roof. The guest speakers that came to Pittsburgh were astounding, as well, giving personal testimony of their individual writing habits and discussing in detail the personal struggles that they have faced.  This community of writers was very comforting to all of the new, up-and-coming authors in Sigma Tau Delta.  The English society is not a place where the mediocre and apathetic student hangs out but where the innovative and idealistic achiever can be found.  The sight of English honor students from all over the country standing before their peers, sharing  inspiring ideas, along with the sound of accented words, being read off the printed page, provided an unforgettable experience and an exceptional opportunity to embrace the convention theme, “Beyond Words.”

Convention Stories

Kelsey Hixson-Bowles

Student Advisor, 2011-2012

Kansas State University

As I slowly come out of my post-convention shock and back into “real life,” I’ve begun to process all the events that occurred. After flying into Pittsburgh and registering for the convention, I eagerly flipped through the program to pick out the sessions I wished to attend. I picked out a few “must sees” and then went to the showing of Away We Go and won a copy of the movie, which I later had signed by Dave Eggers himself! Speaking of speakers, I thought all the keynote speakers were fabulous and inspiring, but I was particularly inspired by Dave Eggers. His tone was humorous, if a little nervous, but his message was clear: pursue your purpose in life. He said, “Never underestimate your words and their power,” which was the best way to end our Beyond Words themed convention.

The bad poetry night and the open mic night were also a blast. Our student leaders really did a great job this year providing fun social activities and a wonderful informational student leadership workshop. My group decided to divide and conquer by sending one person to each of the sessions offered. I went to the personal publication and grant writing seminars, which were both useful in my pursuit of service projects and creative writing.

For those who have never been to a Sigma Tau Delta convention, I seriously recommend it. Bringing so many English scholars together in one place encouraged a think-tank atmosphere and we could almost see the ideas zipping through the air. I know I was inspired by the panel presentation from The College of New Jersey called “Coming to the Convention as a Crowd.” The students and advisors on this panel had so many great ideas about how to encourage service projects, fundraising, paper/panel submissions, and group bonding, all to create interest in going to the convention. The tips I took from that panel are sure to help me in my quest to vitalize the High Plains Region and get more of our chapters to the convention next year.

This year was also special because I joined the list of presenters. I read a short story and gave a panel presentation called “Can a Novel Unify a Campus?” Even though I didn’t bring back a convention award, the experience of sharing my work and research was invaluable and good practice as I move along in my college career and start looking towards grad school. 

Apart from the sessions and speakers, my experience was enriched by the people I met. One night, my group from Kansas State University ate dinner with this past year’s High Plains Student Representative, Michelle Webb. The conversation was lively and the experience of eating a coleslaw and french-fry infused sandwich off layers of wax paper will be in my memory forever. I also had the opportunity to get to know my fellow K-Staters on a deeper level which will help us work as a stronger leadership team on campus. 

The benefits of attending the Sigma Tau Delta convention are innumerable. It’s an experience that I will always be thankful I gave to myself and I hope that next year even more students attend when we take things down south to New Orleans!

Convention Stories

Allie Martin
Southern Region Associate Student Representative, 2011-2012
Freed-Hardeman University

Fifteen hours in a packed Toyota Camry was not my idea of a great trip. Nevertheless,  three other English majors from Freed-Hardeman University, our faculty sponsor, and I wedged ourselves into the car and headed toward Pittsburgh, PA, for the 2011 Sigma Tau Delta English Convention. This was my first convention, and I did not know what to expect.

When the convention committee chose Pittsburgh as the site for this year’s convention, they definitely knew what they were doing. I don’t know if I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting a city with so much culture! Several times my group went to Market Square to eat lunch or supper during our breaks.  Restaurants around a quaint square with its cobblestoned streets, Market Square stood in stark contrast to the skyscrapers surrounding it. My Philly burger at The Primanti Brothers’ restaurant was my favorite meal:  the famous Primanti Brothers’ offering with slaw and French fries ON the sandwich.

My group was also able to meet up with students and faculty from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to ride the Incline up the mountain. I’d never been on a lift like that before, and although the new experience was exhilarating, I was hardly able to revel in that for being distracted by the incredible view. The Ohio river encompasses the triangular tract of land that houses the downtown area, and bridges of various sizes and grandeur lead from the residential areas to the sky scrapers. The students and sponsor from my school and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students have been involved in a collaborative project for the last six months, and getting to share this moment with fellow English majors (whom we had not meant in person before this convention) was gratifying.

Lorene Cary, author of the convention’s common reader Black Ice, spoke Thursday night, and hearing her accounts of teaching in the Pittsburgh prison system was inspirational. I’ve never considered teaching in any capacity in the future, but many of the audience members asked her questions about this work and mentioned they were looking into similar activities. In fact, many of the sessions I went to advocated world literacy. So many English majors at the conventions cared about sharing their passion for English with the world.

I didn’t know what to expect as our small group from western Tennessee set out towards Pittsburgh. What I found was a sense of camaraderie unparalleled by my previous experiences. Everyone who attended the Sigma Tau Delta convention had a zeal for literature and the English language. I was blessed to be elected as Associate Student Representative for the Southern Region. The next year ahead is sure to be a learning experience, but I am thrilled to be a part of it.

Scholarship and Academic Award Applications Now Open

Sigma Tau Delta is pleased to announce that active members are able to apply for Scholarships and Academic Awards for Fall 2011. Students and alumni will use the new Scholarship and Tracking Review System (STARS Online) to apply. Instructions for our online application process and a link to STARS, to enable students to begin applying, is now available at: STARS Application Process.

The submission deadline is Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

Thanks for your attention,
Dr. John Kerrigan
Chair, Scholarships and Academic Awards Committee

Convention Stories

Sarah Faulkner
Far Western Region Student Representative, 2011-2012
Chapman University

I was thrilled when I heard that my critical paper had been accepted to the 2011 Sigma Tau Delta International Convention. I was even more excited when I confirmed that the papers and creative works of thirteen of my peers had been accepted as well, and that eleven of us would be flying to Pittsburgh in late March. This would be my first Convention, my first presentation of an accepted paper, and my first experience in such a large community of driven and talented English scholars.
The preparations were hectic. Trying to find funding, helping people book flights and hotel rooms, and comprehending that Philadelphia was not the same place as Pittsburgh consumed much of my time prior to convention. When I showed up to my group’s meeting spot at 4AM on March 23rd to wait for our taxi, I was nervous about the week ahead. The flight was long, and we landed into chaos. Pittsburgh was in the midst of a great storm, and we were delayed on the tarmac for an hour and a half, only to be welcomed into the airport by TVs flashing with tornado warnings. After another grueling hour of collecting bags and waiting for our shuttle, I was having my doubts about the wisdom of going to the convention.

We were awed on first emerging from the airport into Pittsburgh. Its impressive skyline and high population of yellow bridges struck me as different from anything I’d seen before. We were shuttled to the Grand Wyndham in Downtown, a beautiful and extremely accommodating hotel. With so much travel trauma, we had missed that day’s registration and decided to venture out in search of food. We stumbled upon Primanti Bros., where I experienced a sandwich containing two fried eggs, cheese, coleslaw, and fries. I was officially in Pittsburgh.

The week quickly turned into one of the best of my life. The Student Leadership Workshops were extremely useful and fun, and I discovered many brilliant ideas and people from across the nation.  We then did more exploring of Pittsburgh, including riding the tram up the hill to Mt. Washington and exploring Station Square. It was also on this day that I attended the unofficial regional caucus and debated if I should run for Student Representative and was, of course, persuaded to do so by the amazing opportunities and possibilities for growth.

On Friday, I attended the Scholarship/Awards Ceremony to discover that I had received the Far Western Regent’s Scholarship, a very pleasant surprise. We then moved to the Regional Caucuses, where I was elected Student Representative  for the Far Western Region. As all the representatives met for lunch in the Executive Suite (which I had been eyeing from the 24th floor for a while) I began to get truly excited about the Student Representative position and its potential. The day continued with an amazing trip to the Andy Warhol Museum, dinner with my chapter, and hearing Kay Ryan read her soothing and inspiring poetry. 

Saturday opened with the nervous excitement of presenting my paper. After listening to my best friend read her creative piece at 8:00AM, I felt a little easier, and we presented next to each other at the 20th Century British Lit. Critical panel at 9:30AM. After my paper on Yeats was delivered, I traveled all around the Wyndham with my chapter to see  five different presentations, including the brilliant panel on Harry Potter.   

The women from my chapter and I then got ready for the Gala, putting on our finest black and red dresses.  We sat at dinner with our chapter, awaiting the announcement of the convention winners. One of the graduate students from our chapter won second place in original fiction, news which was met from us with a great roar of cheers.  We enjoyed the sense of community and accomplishment felt throughout the room filled with over 1000 dedicated leaders and scholars. After the Gala, we heard Dave Eggers give a marvelous talk about his life and work, and the Convention was officially ended. I said goodbye to the wonderful new friends I had made throughout the week and prepared to make the trip back to California.

The four days I spent in Pittsburgh at convention were amazing. The week was filled with opportunity, knowledge, growth, and truly inspiring people. I am so thankful for the opportunity to attend, and I look forward to implementing the positive ideas and attitude I gained into my own chapter and my own life. I am very much looking forward to the next convention in New Orleans! Until then, I will remember convention as one of the best experiences of my life.