Missouri Southern State University Students Present Works During Sigma Tau Delta’s International Conference

(Joplin, MO) – Five students from Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) were recognized during Sigma Tau Delta’s 2022 International Convention, held March 30 to April 2 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Students who presented works were:

• Sarah Clements, junior art-visual major from Joplin, “In the Shadows of Frozen Warriors”
• Bethany G. Roberts, sophomore English-literary studies/professional and technical writing major, Joplin, “How to Write a Letter.”
• J.P. Rutledge, senior English-professional and technical writing major, Pittsburg, Kan., “The Kind Young Man.”
• Hunter VanValkenburg, senior English-professional and technical writing major, Joplin, “What is Inherited” (poetry collection)

Julie Harvey, a senior secondary education major from Gravette, Arkansas was invited to host a forum centered on Jane Austen.

The theme for this year’s conference was “Action.” Students submitted works and were invited to read them in front of their peers during convention panels.

“It was so amazing to be around so many other writers and to hear their styles, process, and perspectives,” said VanValkenburg. “My favorite parts were the late-night events like the bad poetry contest and the open mic. I also loved hearing from our keynote speakers, poet Richard Blanco and writer Nic Stone.”

Harvey said she submitted an essay that was not accepted; however, she had another opportunity to participate.

“The convention had a new concept called ‘Research in the Round,’” she said. “I hosted a topic on Jane Austen in secondary education and asked questions that attendees answered in a discussion-type forum.”

Dr. Amy Gates, assistant professor of English and philosophy and advisor for MSSU’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter, was elected to a four-year term as the Midwestern Regent on the honor society’s board of directors. As a board member, she will support active chapters in her region and help them keep in contact with each other, participate in regional activities, and raise funds for events.

“I don’t know yet to which committees I will be assigned, but in the past, I have volunteered to evaluate internship and grant applications,” said Gates. “Students have opportunities to earn scholarships and prizes as well as internships through Sigma Tau Delta.”

Sigma Tau Delta is an English honors society with more than 900 chapters in the United States and abroad. The society strives to confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate and professional studies, exhibit high standards of academic excellence and promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members.

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