Collegiate Times

The breadth of talented writers at Virginia Tech is no work of fiction. Novel ideas from student-written literature will be recognized at this year's 2007 English Undergraduate Conference. "Tradition, Transition, Transformation: English Studies Today" will alliterate its way as a second annual event this Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Shanks 380.

"It's all a part of the diverse viewpoints, genres and subjects that make up English studies today," said Nancy Metz, professor and a main organizer of the event. "We wanted a theme that would be specific enough to provide a focal point for the conference, but broad enough to embrace what has been called the 'energetic eclecticism' of English studies."

This "energetic eclecticism" includes nearly 70 undergraduates, who will present their work including poems, short stories, creative non-fiction, literary analysis, original research, client projects and grant proposals.

Metz's favorite part is the anticipation and planning of the event. Roundtable conversations between students and faculty help determine the main objectives.

"We send an invitation out to come and talk about the conference, and we sit over a couple of boxes of pizza and start to plan it out," she said.

Fellow writers brainstorm. No writer who wishes to participate in the planning is blocked. The event may even be considered a writing muse.

"I think all of us — students and faculty — have appreciated the way the conference has encouraged mentoring relationships that go beyond the assignment or the semester. This is a large campus, but when we are working on the conference together, it feels like a smaller place," Metz said.

Not only are students turning pages, they are turning heads.

"Nearly a dozen of the students presenting at the English conference will go on to present the following week at the university's Undergraduate Research and Prospective Graduate Student conference," Metz said. "Others will end up giving these same papers at regional or national conferences."

Some students are even receiving recognition abroad.

"This year one student, Ashley Foerster, has been accepted as a presenter at the International Byron Society Conference in Messalonghi, Italy," Metz said.

Even though English is our common language, it is hard to put into words the inner drive of the students and faculty who choose English as their discipline. The conference celebrates this.

"It's good to take one day in the year to acknowledge this and appreciate the work we accomplish together. My own teaching assignments have more meaning and purpose when I think of them as generating a conference presentation. Under those circumstances, a paper isn't just an exercise to be graded and returned; it's a project I need to guide and shape," Metz said.

What do students say the best part of the conference is for them?

"Many tell us that they appreciate the extra confidence and level of professionalism they achieve when they present in front of a wider audience. Participation in a conference of this kind looks good on resumes and can help build credentials for graduate and professional schools. It can lead to bigger things, too," she said.