Lee student Kristen Ton is pictured here reading her creative work during a session
Lee University’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, held its 13th annual Literary Symposium featuring critical and creative works by Lee students.
The symposium program included 17 presentations made by Lee students. Critical analyses focused on such topics as “Unfulfilled Emptiness in ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night,’” “The Nuances of Imagination: Frankenstein’s Attempt at Original Creativity,” and “Chaucer and Church: Present Problems and Future Fixes.” Additionally, a diverse selection of fiction, creative nonfiction, drama, and poetry was presented.
“The symposium is our one chance on campus to share and showcase projects from all corners of our English major,” said Dr. Chad Schrock, Lee assistant professor of English. “One of the major sources of satisfaction is seeing our diverse English majors in the same room, listening to each other read, eating together, talking together, and developing in community a professional identity and confidence. ”
Following the presentations, guest plenary speaker Carissa Turner Smith presented on reading in the modern age. Ms. Smith is an associate professor of English at Charleston Southern University whose research specialties include spiritual autobiography, African American literature, children's and young adult literature, and feminist theory.
“I really think this is the best literary symposium I've been to in my time at Lee,” said Hannah Cole, a senior English literature major. “Dr. Smith spoke in such a way that she brought us into the field of an intellectual discussion while retaining her conversational tone. Hearing my fellow students read their work was beneficial; it's a good environment to present in, because everyone there wants you to succeed.”
For more information about Sigma Tau Delta, visit www.english.org/sigmatd. For more information about Lee’s Department of Language and Literature, call 614-8210.
Lee student Laura MacGowan working at the check-in table for symposium registration.