English e-newsletter June 2015

Jan. 26, 2015 Volume 1 , Issue 2

Inside Dr. Alisea Williams McLeod, Humanities Division Chair B.A., Stillman College; M.A., Miami University-Oxford; Ph.D., University of Michigan Email: amcleod@rustcollege.edu Phone:662-252-8000 ext. 4659 Dr. Sharron Sarthou, Instructor, Assistant Professor, English B.A.., University of Toronto, M.S.S., M.A., Ph.D., University of Mississippi Email: ssarthou@rustcollege.edu Phone: 662-252-8000 ext. 4652 Dr. Hilda Booker Williams, Assistant Professor, English B.A., Rust College; M.A., University of Illinois; Ed.D., University of Memphis Email: hwilliams@rustcollege.edu Phone: 662-252-8000 ext. 4603

Ms. Jacqueline Slater, Instructor, English B.A., Tougaloo College, B.A. University of Memphis; M.A., University of Memphis Email: jslater@rustcollege.edu Phone: 662-252-8000 ext. 4654 Mr. Mark Ridge, Assistant Professor, English B.A., M.A., University of Memphis Email: mridge@rustcollege.edu Phone: 662-252-8000 ext. 4068

this issue: Fun Facts

2

Destination

3

Graduation

Sigma Tau Delta Honors Society

3

Writing Center

Writing center

3

Student Experiences

2

Announcements

4

Student Spotlight

4

Dr. LaToya Jefferson-James, Assistant Professor of English B.A., M.A., University of Memphis Ph.D. University of Mississippi Email :ljamesjefferson@rustcollege.edu Phone: 662-252-8000 ext. N/A

“�Education is the best provision for the journey to old age." Aristotle

5 Fun Facts Associated with English 1. A sentence that contains all 26 letters of the alphabet is called a "pangram". Here’s an example: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."

2. The longest English word without a true vowel (a, e, i, o or u) is "rhythm".

3. We can find 10 words in the 7-letter word "therein" without rearranging any of its letters: the, there, he, in, rein, her, here, ere, therein, herein.

4. The following sentence contains 7 identical words in a row and still makes sense. "It is true for all that that that that that that that refers to is not the same that that that that refers to." It is true for all that, that that "that" which that "that" refers to is not the same "that" which that "that" refers to.)

5. The only planet not named after a god is our own, Earth. The others are, in order from the Sun, Mercury, Venus, [Earth,] Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

Experiences in the English Department Being an English major and spending all my time with the professors in the English Department, my experience has been very nurturing , and home like. I have wonderful professors, who love what they do, and I feel the passion behind their words and enjoy every bit of literary information provided from their teaching. I aspire to be just like them one day. - Cortia Henry My experience in the English Department, has been a knowledgeable one. Everyday, while in class, I learn something new, that enlightens me a little more about the subject. –Cedrica Cooper

I’ve always had a passion for English, even as a little girl, and since I have been at Rust College, the professors in the English Department have touched my life with their knowledge. Teaching me and molding me, so when I walk across the stage in 2017, I can be more than ready to teach what has been taught to me. LaRica Jones

“Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.”

-Douglass Adams

Aids to the English Department

Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University.

The Society strives to •Confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies; •Provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities;

The Writing Center, located in BCS 110, is the place to go for

•Foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing; •Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members; •Exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and •Serve society by fostering literacy.

assistance with anything dealing with writing and

research.

Destination Graduation has made significant progress here at Rust College. Every year, our profound HBCU sends around 150 students across that platform, changing their lives forever. The DG motto has had an amazing impact on our students. We have adjusted the curriculum to emphasize the importance of meeting with an advisor and creating an education plan. In 2014-15, it will not be possible to pass DG without having done an assignment that necessitates meeting one’s advisor and creating a plan. Rust College continues to assess student and faculty feedback for DG and make adjustments to the curriculum.

For 2014-15, a portion of the team will tackle redesigning the student survey to collect more meaningful data. Another portion of the team has invited a sampling of faculty to explore tailoring DG for specific student groups. Currently, the plan is to work on DG sections tailored for cohort groups.

English’s Department’s Student Spotlight

Rust College SGA: Students, please update your mailing addresses immediately with the Registrar office in order to receive your 2014 1098T Form for tax filing.

The English Department welcomes you to come and join Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society. For more ga ni zati on details, please email Cortia Or Henry, the Chapter President, and the Faculty Advisor, Dr. Sharron Sarthou @ssarthou@rustcollege.edu 662-252-8000 EXT; 4653 cortiahenry08@yahoo.com

The English Department’s very own Naomi Rahn, a native of Seattle, Washington, considers herself a traveling Guru with educational aspirations. She is currently classified as a graduating senior majoring in English Literature with a minor in Political Science. Scholarship is the highlight of her collegiate career, for she has maintained a 3.8 throughout the 4 years being here at Rust College. In addition to Naomi’s high GPA, she is also a Mellon Fellow and a Algernon Sydney Sullivan Scholar that aspires to have a career in pedagogy.

Even though she loves academia, she also realizes that extracurricular activities help here enjoy the campus life of Rust College. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and a Leading soloist in the World Renown A’cappella Choir allows Naomi to express here musicality and leadership capability on and off Rust College campus. She is a firm believer in working hard now and playing harder later.

Janurary 26-Feburary 1 will be Humanities Week. For information regarding listings of events, please contact Aliesea Mcleod 662-252-8000 EXT; 4659 @amcleod@rustcollege.edu

Interested in being an English, Writing, or Literature major…

Here’s How.

The English degree requires 52 hours of English courses, in addition to English 134 and English 136, the general education requirements. An additional 15 hours of upper-division courses in business, history, foreign language, mass communications, music, political science, psychology, sociology, or theater must be completed (these hours do not have to be completed within a single discipline).

Students may substitute a minor or second major for this requirement. The remaining hours necessary to complete the 128 hours required for graduation may be used for electives. These electives may not, however, be the same as those used to meet the general education requirements.

Requirements for acceptance into the English Major include a recommendation form from one of the freshman English instructors and a writing sample.

The English department, would like to give credit to the Rust College Website. Check it out for more information @

www.rustcollege.edu