Saint Martin’s students to present at national conference
January 11, 2012
LACEY, WASHINGTON—Two Saint Martin’s English students, Amber
Graves ’12 of Federal Way, Washington, and Becca Marsh ’13 of
Olympia, Washington, have been invited to present papers at the
2012 Sigma Tau Delta International Convention, Feb. 29–March 3,
in New Orleans, Louisiana.
As the international English honorary society, Sigma Tau
Delta confers distinction upon students of the English language
and literature in undergraduate, graduate and professional
studies. Sigma Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of
professional writers who have contributed to the fields of
language and literature. At the February meeting, hundreds of
Sigma Tau Deltans from around the globe will share experiences
and ideas, be recognized for their achievements, and participate
in official society business.
Graves’s and Marsh’s work was chosen from about 1,200 papers
submitted by English students worldwide.
At the center of Graves’ paper, titled Independence Day,
is the work of 20th-century poet Sylvia Plath, as it relates to
the housewife. After her graduation from Saint Martin’s next
spring, Graves plans to pursue graduate studies to become an
English instructor at the university level.
Examining Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene,
Marsh’s paper identifies text and images that associate the
character Una with several qualities of the Virgin Mary. Marsh
asserts that these associations place Una in a more significant
role than previously attributed to her by critics. Marsh plans
to pursue an MBA, with the professional goal of helping to
develop small businesses in medicine.
Both Marsh and Graves say they are excited to have the
opportunity to attend the convention and interact with their
academic peers.
For more information on Sigma Tau Delta, contact Jamie Olson,
Ph.D., assistant professor of English, at 360-438-4302 or
jolson@stmartin.edu.
For more information about this conference, visit
www.niu.edu/sigmatd/conventions/index.shtml.
Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year,
coeducational university located on a 380-acre wooded campus in
Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of
Saint Benedict, the University is one of 14 Benedictine colleges
and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only
one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University
prepares students for successful lives through its 21 majors and
six graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business,
education and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes 1,250
students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its main
campus, and 650 more to its extension campuses located at Joint
Base Lewis-McChord, Everett College, Centralia College and
Tacoma Community College. Visit the Saint Martin’s University
website at www.stmartin.edu.
For additional information:
Jamie Olson, Ph.D.
Assistant professor
English Department
360-438-4302
jolson@stmartin.edu
Sarah Holdener
Director of community relations and event management
Office of Marketing and Communications
360-412-6140
sholdener@stmartin.edu