Three faculty members and 10 students from the University’s Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society chapter traveled to the annual convention in St. Louis, Mo., March 27–30, where they presented their original research. Seniors Christine Luongo and Ashley Linnehan were recognized at the conference for their research and other accolades.
The conference took place over the course of three days, highlighting presentations and workshops from industry professionals. The conference fostered the intersection between art, work, literature, and history, fueled by the theme “Work in Progress,” which encouraged attendees to determine how their relationship with work and the interpretation of work in society affects them and their literary endeavors.
“It was a really positive experience for the students,” said Glen Brewster, Ph.D., director of the University’s Honors Program and professor of English. “They met other students from around the country and the globe and represented Westfield State very well.”
Student presenters were Kristin Brouilette, a junior from Agawam; Julianna Campbell, a junior from Springfield; Shannon Fitzsimmons, a senior from Andover; Ashley Linnehan, a senior from Merrimac; Christine Luongo, a senior from Marshfield; Nicholas Miller, a senior from Leicester; Erica Paul, a senior from Southwick; Elizabeth Potter, a senior from Warren; Abigail Taylor, a senior from West Springfield, and Audrey Therriault, a sophomore from Haverhill.
Additionally, Chapter Vice President Linnehan completed her term as Associate Student Representative for the Eastern Region as a member of the Student Leadership Convention. Chapter President Luongo also received a cash award for placing third in the critical essay American Literature category for her paper, titled “Rejecting Expectations in Sarah Manguso’s The Two Kinds of Decay.”
In addition to student presentations, faculty members were also recognized. Dr. Brewster continued as President of the Society, building on his nine years of service on its executive board. Dr. Brewster and Stephen Adams, Ph.D., professor and chair of the English Department, were recognized for 20 years of service to the organization as faculty advisors. Dr. Brewster and Dr. Adams were founding advisors to the Westfield State chapter.
Elizabeth Starr, Ph.D., professor of English, was recognized for 15 years of service as a faculty advisor. The Westfield State chapter has previously been recognized for its active and engaged participation in the conference, celebrating its 20th anniversary. The chapter was honored at the conference for its long-standing dedication to the organization.
Sigma Tau Delta is an International English Honors Society. It was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University before turning its scope national and worldwide. Its mission is to promote interests in literature and the English language throughout classrooms, provide unique distinctions for high achieving professionals in the literature and language fields, promote exemplary character and good fellowship among members, and serve an international society by fostering and promoting literature/literary study.
Sigma Tau Delta hosts about 900 chapters across the globe, with over 1,000 faculty advisors and 9,000 student members.