News Archive 2017
December 2017
On Wednesday, December 13th, Shepherd University’s Stammtisch group will be holding an Adventstreffen (Advent Gathering). The event—including Christmas cookies, cake, and conversation in German and English—will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will be held at the Good Shepherd House (101 W. High Street, Shepherdstown). For more information, contact Dr. Eva-María Suárez Büdenbender (esuarezb@shepherd.edu).
The English Capstone students will be making their final presentations on Friday, December 1st. Those presentations will be held in White Hall’s Jefferson Room, and they are scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. Family, friends, and students curious about the Capstone experience are encouraged to attend.
November 2017
There will be a screening of the documentary We Still Live Here, which is about the rebirth of a Native American language, on Monday, November 27th, at 7:30 p.m. in the Storer Ballroom of the Student Center. Dr. Eva-María Suárez Büdenbender will be leading the presentation of the movie and the question-and-answer session to follow the screening. The evening is sponsored by Multicultural Student Affairs.
October 2017
Shepherd University’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, will host its sixth regional conference on Saturday, November 4th, from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in Knutti Hall and Reynolds Hall. Twenty-three students from eleven different colleges and universities will share their creative and critical work. Dr. Lois Jarman, Director of Shepherd’s Intensive Language Program, will deliver the keynote address entitled “The ‘Unknown’ Lens and the Humanities.” For more information, contact Dr. Heidi Hanrahan (hhanraha@shepherd.edu).
The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players are performing Shakespeare’s dark comedy All’s Well That Ends Well on the following dates:
Friday, November 3rd, 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 4th, 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 5th, 3 pm
Wednesday, November 8th, 8:30 pm
Thursday, November 9th, 8:30 pm
Friday, November 10th, 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 11th, 7:30 pm
Tickets at the door will cost $8 for the general public and $2 for Shepherd University faculty and staff. Shepherd students with a student ID will be admitted for free.
Shepherd University students acting or working as technical crew on the play are Boaz Bamiro, Samantha Brookes, Timothy Butcher, Lyvon Campbell, Austin Fitzgerald, Elijah Fritz, Tori Harding, Parker Herman, Gabrielle Hess, Bethany Kaetzel, Christina Knight, Kylan Kontra, Tiffany Kline, TK Lindsay, Brandt Lusby, Sophia Messenger, Deidre Morrison, Oliver Pierce, Emilee Ryan, Sabrina Shacklett, Connor Skillman, Haley Weatherholtz.
The next meeting of Shepherd University’s Stammtisch will be on Tuesday, October 17th. Stammtisch is a German conversation group, but speakers of all levels (beginners to native) are welcome to attend. This month’s meeting will be at the Blue Moon at 4:45 p.m., and anybody who’s interested is welcome to attend the teach-in on human trafficking afterwards at 7:00 p.m. The teach-in was organized by Rita Neuman, a Stammtisch regular. For more information on Stammtisch, contact Dr. Eva-María Suárez Büdenbender (esuarezb@shepherd.edu).
September 2017
Congratulations to our students who presented their work at Hood College’s “Discovering the Humanities” conference. We are very proud of you! From left to right: Olivia Barrett, Madeline Sandy, Brianna Maguire, Haven Silvio, Claudia McCarron, and Madison Ingram.
Kelsey Stoneberger, class of 2016, has been awarded a prestigious editorial internship with Tin House magazine. As an editorial intern, she will read and evaluate submissions, work on editing accepted publications, and assist with events hosted by the magazine. The highly acclaimed literary magazine has been publishing poetry, fiction, and non-fiction since 1998, with the book division opening in 2005. For Kelsey, who says “I think I’ve been reading since I could open my eyes” and who sharpened her critical skills while serving as an editor for Sans Merci, the internship with Tin House will help her continue to grow as a poet and a professional. Congratulations, Kelsey!
Cambridge University Press recently published a book by alumna and former Adjunct Instructor of English, L. Michelle Baker. The book, Writing in the Environmental Sciences: A Seven-Step Guide, grew out of Michelle’s work with the National Conservation Training Center and her own company, Conversation Writing Pro. Congratulations, Dr. Baker!
August 2017
The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players will hold auditions for Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well on Wednesday, August 30th, and Thursday, August 31st, from 8:00 – 10:30 p.m., in Reynolds Hall. There are roles (large and small) for all genders and all levels of experience. In addition to actors, tech crew, musicians, singers, dancers, visual artists, video artists, and costume designers are needed. Shepherd University students earn 3 credits for participating on stage or behind the scenes. Community members over 16 are also welcome to audition. For more information, contact Dr. Betty Ellzey (bellzey@shepherd.edu or 304 876-5208).
The first meeting of Stammtisch (a German-language conversation group for speakers at any level) for the new academic year will be this Thursday, August 24th, at 4:30 p.m. The group will gather at The Blue Moon—outside in the Biergarten, weather permitting. For more information, contact Dr. Eva-María Suárez Büdenbender (esuarezb@shepherd.edu).
July 2017
The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players will present Euripides’ ancient Greek play Andromache on Friday, July 14th, and Saturday, July 15th, at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 16th, at 3:00 p.m. in Reynolds Hall. General admission is $5; Shepherd University students’ admission is free; other students will need to pay $2. For more information, contact Dr. Betty Ellzey (bellzey@shepherd.edu or 304 876-5208).
April 2017
Congratulations to our majors, who were recognized at the Annual Student Recognition Day on Tuesday, April 18th. Honorees included:
⋅ Best English Major: Julia Athey
⋅ Best Spanish Major: Neal Crosson
⋅ Vera Malton Award: Madison Ingram
⋅ Nellie Gantt Owens Award: Olivia Barrett
⋅ Elizabeth T. Brown Award: Claudia McCarron
And the Department of Education Outstanding Student Teacher Award—Secondary Education went to English Education student Carissa Snider.
Congratulations to our own Dr. Timothy K. Nixon, winner of the inaugural Sally Mentzer Blair Award for Inspirational Teaching, a student-chosen award for a faculty member who has made a significant difference in the lives of students. Dr. Nixon was nominated by Allex Benedict, who wrote in her letter, “Dr. Nixon is a wonderful teacher; every day, he educates with unmatched passion, poise, and precision. . . . In the classroom and out, he makes time to support the academic, professional, and even personal lives of his students if they need him. His style of teaching allows students to feel almost like peers. All opinions and comments are considered, and each individual is treated with respect and professionalism. Dr. Nixon inspires all of us, every semester, every class, every day, to be better, more informed people and more precise and careful academics. His effect on my life is undeniable; I am sure any student of his would have to say the same.”
On Wednesday, April 12th, Dr. Denis Berenschot and Dr. Eva-María Suárez Büdenbender inducted four Spanish majors into Shepherd University’s chapter of Sigma Delta Pi (ΣΔΠ), the national collegiate Hispanic honor society. The spring 2017 inductees include Holly Fridley, Keira Cale, Shirley Haimes, and Neal Crosson. The ceremony is celebrated annually, and eligible students are selected for membership by the faculty.
Congratulations to the 21 English and English Education majors who presented their capstone projects on Sunday, April 9th. They make us very proud! From left to right: Meaghan Papeika, Daisy Thomas, David Bennett, Kristi Veach, Chace Jones, Maggie Cohee Nevin, Kyla Thomas, Emily Womeldorff, Rachel Bearry-Sandstrom, Julia Athey, Katie Quinnelly, Mike Sandy, Tiana Davis, and Christopher Bonar. Not pictured: Hannah Badley, Rebecca Barb, Michael Barbour, Allex Benedict, Leah Jenkins, Allie Showman, and Carissa Snider.
Congratulations to the newly initiated members of Shepherd University’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter: Olivia Barrett, Gabby Hersey, Sarah Markle, Claudia McCarron, and Casey Otto, and Charlie Reckner (not pictured). They were inducted into the honor society during a brief ceremony on Sunday, April 9th.
March 2017
The Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players will present three plays written by Shepherd creative writing students and a contemporary updating of a medieval play focusing on current social justice issues. Performances will take place in Reynolds Hall on Thursday, March 30th, 8:30 p.m.; Friday, March 31st, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 1st, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 2nd, 3 p.m.; Wednesday, April 5th, 8:30 p.m.; Thursday, April 6th, 8:30 p.m.; and Friday, April 7th, 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $5, general admission; $2, Shepherd University faculty and staff; and free, Shepherd students with a valid Rambler ID.
On March 30th, English majors Julia Athey and Brianna Maguire attended the Sigma Tau Delta International Convention in Louisville, Kentucky with Dr. Hanrahan. Julia presented a paper on Wuthering Heights, and Dr. Hanrahan moderated another session on Victorian women writers.
Six students presented papers at this year’s West Virginia Literary Symposium on March 25th at West Liberty
University. Those students were Julia Athey (Business Administration and English), Rebecca Barb (English Education), Michael Barbour (English), Madeline Dillow (Sociology), Brianna Maguire (English), and Claudia McCarron (English). Claudia McCarron was recognized for having written the best essay among all state-wide submissions for her essay “‘The Destined Prophetess’: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, The Scarlet Letter, and the American Jeremiad.”
The official release party of volume 41 of Sans Merci, Shepherd University’s creative magazine, featuring poetry, prose and art by Shepherd undergraduates, edited by Shepherd undergraduates will be on Thursday, March 30th, at the Town Run Brewery, 202 East Washington Street. The party will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. For more information, contact sans.merci.mag@gmail.com.
Six students have been chosen to participate in this year’s West Virginia Literary Symposium on March 25th at West Liberty University. Those students and the papers they will be presenting are Julia Athey (Business Administration and English)— “The Legend of Her Beauty: An Analysis of Helen of Troy’s Power”; Rebecca Barb (English Education)— “An Ecocritical Reading of Markandaya’s Nectar in a Sieve”; Michael Barbour (English)— “Baudelaire’s Duality of Beauty: Aesthetics beyond the Ideal”; Madeline Dillow (Sociology)— “The Many Layers of Symbolism and Meaning in The House on Mango Street”; Brianna Maguire (English)— “Body or Soul?: Religion in Uncle Tom’s Cabin”; Claudia McCarron (English)— “‘The Destined Prophetess’: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, The Scarlet Letter, and the American Jeremiad.”
February 2017
Dr. Carrie Messenger, Associate Professor of English, has been invited to spend the month of May in residence at the MacDowell Colony. MacDowell, in Peterborough, New Hampshire, is the nation’s leading artist colony. Past artists in residence have included Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Thornton Wilder, James Baldwin, Willa Cather, and Alice Walker. Congratulations Dr. Messenger!
Dr. Heidi Hanrahan, Associate Professor of English, is the recipient of this year’s Storer Award, which recognizes Shepherd University faculty who interweave issues of diversity into their teaching, scholarship, and service. Dr. Hanrahan was lauded for her “longstanding commitment to social justice.” The award will be formally conferred on Wednesday, February 15th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Storer Ballroom.
The dates for this semester’s meetings of Stammtisch (the German conversation group) have been announced. Stammtisch will be meeting on Wednesday, February 15th, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Monday, March 6th, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday, March 31st, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Friday, April 14th, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. German speakers of all levels—beginners to native—are welcome to attend. For further information, contact Dr. Eva-María Suárez Büdenbender (esuarezb@shepherd.edu).
January 2017
On Thursday, January 26th, at 7:00 p.m., poets Jennifer Kronovet and James Shea will be reading their work at the Four Seasons Books in Shepherdstown. Kronovet is the author of The Wug Test (Ecco Press), which was selected for the National Poetry Series. She is also the author of the poetry collection Awayward. Shea is the author of two books of poetry, The Lost Novel and Star in the Eye. His poems have appeared in various literary magazines and anthologies such as The New Census: An Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry and Isn’t It Romantic: 100 Love Poems by Younger American Poets. Shea will also be meeting with the students in Dr. James Pate’s ENGL475 (Creative Writing: Poetry) course earlier that afternoon.
Does the winter weather have you dreaming about beaches and sunshine? Join Dr. Denis Berenschot for an information session about the Spanish program’s next study abroad trip to Havana, Cuba (May 14th – 29th, 2017). The information session will be on Monday, January 30th, at 3:10 p.m. It will be held in Knutti Hall room 205. Anyone interested in the study abroad trip to Cuba, whether or not you can attend the information session, should take a look at this brochure and then contact Dr. Berenschot (dberensc@shepherd.edu or 240 367-2424).
The Rude Mechanicals announce auditions for three contemporary plays by Shepherd University creative writing students and a modern update of a medieval play highlighting LGBTQ+ and women’s rights on Wednesday, January 11th, and Thursday, January 12th. Auditions will be from 8:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. in Reynolds Hall. Students can earn 3 credits for participating in the productions. Multiple roles (both large and small) are available, and a diverse cast is highly desirable. Tech crew, musicians, singers, dancers, video artists, costume and set designers are also needed. For more information contact Dr. Betty Ellzey (bellzey@shepherd.edu or 304 876-5208).