Mark West

Today we celebrate the life, accomplishments, and vision of Martin Luther King, Jr., but I think we should also celebrate his wife, Coretta Scott King. Not only did she work alongside her husband throughout his civil rights campaign, but she continued and expanded this campaign for decades after her husband’s assassination in 1968.  She established the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, spoke out on behalf of gay rights, and played a leadership role in the struggle to end apartheid.  She also led the successful efforts to make her husband’s birthday and national holiday.  

I feel connected to Coretta Scott King.  She began her college career at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she studied music.  I, too, began my college career at Antioch College, where I studied musical composition among other subjects.  She transferred out of Antioch and moved to New England to study at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.  I transferred out of Antioch and moved to New England to study at Franconia College in New Hampshire.  While at the New England Conservatory of Music, she met a young minister named Martin Luther King, Jr., and as they say, the rest is history.  While at Franconia College, I met a radical minister named William Briggs, who knew Martin Luther King, Jr., and he encouraged my efforts in the area of political activism.  When I started an underground magazine called the North Country Union Reader, I printed it on Rev. Briggs’ mimeograph machine in his church basement. 

Coretta Scott King has special associations for those of us who take a particular interest in children’s literature.  In 1969 a group of librarians with affiliations with the American Library Association established the Coretta Scott King Award to recognize outstanding children’s books created by African Americans.  They named the award after her in part because of her long-standing interest in the welfare and education of children.  In 1970 they announced the first winner of this award, which went to Lillie Patterson for her biography Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:  Man of Peace.  As some of you know, every summer I teach a seminar called Children’s Literature Award Winners in which I cover the most recent winners of the major awards in children’s literature, including the Coretta Scott King Award.  Through teaching this seminar, I regularly touch base with Coretta Scott King’s legacy.  I never met her, but I know people who did, and they assure me that she highly valued children’s literature.  

As we honor Martin Luther King, Jr., let us also remember to honor Coretta Scott King.  Perhaps one way to do this is to read a book that has won the Coretta Scott King Award.  Here is a link to a list of past winners of this award:  http://www.ala.org/emiert/coretta-scott-king-book-awards-all-recipients-1970-present.

Award-Winning Lil — Lil Brannon and our former colleague Tony Scott recently  learned that they received the 2014 Braddock Award for their article titled “Democracy, Struggle, and the Praxis of Assessment,” which appeared in the December 2013 issue of College Composition and Communication.  The award was started in l975 and is given to the best essay published during the preceding year in College Composition and Communication, which is widely regarded as the top journal in rhetoric and composition.  Please join me in congratulating Lil (and Tony) for winning this prestigious award.

 Upcoming Events and Deadlines—  Here are some dates to keep in mind:

January 24 — The English Graduate Association Conference will take place on January 24 from from 8:30 to 5:30 at Center City.  Here is a link to more information about the conference:  https://english.uncc.edu/node/141

Quirky Quiz Question — Martin Luther King was a giant in the civil rights movement, but Charlotte also has its giants associated with the civil rights movement.  What is the name of the recently deceased Charlotte lawyer who played a central role in desegregating the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools through his litigation of the case known as Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education?

Last Week’s Quirky Quiz Question — Last week I asked, “What is the name of the famous Chicago poet who retired to the mountains of North Carolina and lived there for many years?”  The answer is Carl Sandburg.

Our Students — The official enrollment numbers for spring 2014 are not yet in, but the preliminary numbers for our undergraduate English courses are encouraging. As of today, the combined enrollment for all of our undergraduate courses, including the General Education LBST courses taught by English faculty, comes to a total of 2,014. This figure is a significant increase over last spring’s total of 1,824. It is also an increase over the fall 2013 semester total of 1,919. The enrollment figures for our undergraduate courses are clearly increasing. Here are our undergraduate spring enrollment numbers over the last five years:

Spring 2014: 2014 undergraduate seats
Spring 2013: 1824 undergraduate seats
Spring 2012: 1679 undergraduate seats
Spring 2011: 1768 undergraduate seats
Spring 2010: 1766 undergraduate seats

As these figures show, the student demand for our courses is growing, and that is a very hopeful sign. However, these numbers only tell part of the story. Our students are not numbers; they are real people with unique personalities, diverse backgrounds, and varying ambitions. In my view, one of the strengths of our English Department is that we do not treat our students as interchangeable units. This strength was brought home to me this past weekend when I attended Eric Linne’s book-release party. Eric recently graduated from our MA program, and he just published a YA novel titled Reversal. At one point during the party, Eric talked about the evolution of his book, and he gratefully acknowledged the help he received from many of the faculty members in our department. I came away from the party feeling not only proud of Eric but also proud of our dedicated faculty.

Kudos— As you know, I like to use my Monday Missives to share news about recent accomplishments by members of our department. Here is the latest news:

Jim McGavran published an article titled “Felicia Hemans’s Feminist Poetry of the Mid-1820s” in the December 2013 issue of Women’s Writings.

Juan Meneses recently presented a paper titled “‘Because Our Fathers Lied’: National Allegiances and the Great War in Sebastian Barry’s A Long Long Way” at the MLA Conference held in Chicago. His paper was included in a session titled “Secrets and the Silences of Memory: The Great War in Modern Fiction.”

Sarah Minslow recently presented a paper titled “The Value of Literary Fiction” at the MLA Conference held in Chicago. Her paper was included in a session titled “Children’s Literature and the Common Core.”

Malin Pereira was on two panels at the MLA Conference held in Chicago. She presided on the panel titled “Myth-busting the Job Search” and was a panelist for the “Pre-convention Workshop for Job Seekers in English.” She also worked for the job counseling center for ADE.

Alan Rauch recently presented a paper titled “Scholarly Journals: Academic and Commercial and Independent Perspectives” at the MLA Conference held in Chicago.

Upcoming Events and Deadlines— Here are some dates to keep in mind:

January 17 — Last day to add classes and drop with no grade.

January 24 — The English Graduate Association Conference will take place on January 24 from from 8:30 to 5:30 at Center City. Here is a link to more information about the conference: https://english.uncc.edu/node/141

Quirky Quiz Question — As my Kudos section indicates, the UNC Charlotte was well represented at the MLA Conference in Chicago. This got me thinking about the connections between North Carolina and Chicago. What is the name of the famous Chicago poet who retired to the mountains of North Carolina and lived there for many years?

The Spring 2014 semester is a milestone for me, for it is my 60th semester teaching in our English Department. This semester is also the 60th semester that I have taught a section of ENGL 3103 (Children’s Literature). For me, teaching this course is always a pleasure. I consider myself lucky to be able to teach regularly a course on a subject for which I have such a long-standing passion. I hope that you also are able to tap into your academic passions as you prepare for the first day of classes. Best wishes great semester.

Kudos— As you know, I like to use my Monday Missives to share news about recent accomplishments by members of our department. Here is the latest news:

Stan Patten, a former member of the English Department, recently published a poetry collection titled Betrayals. Stan taught in the department for many years, and he founded our Writing Resources Center. Unfortunately, he had to take medical-based retirement because he has Myasthenia Gravis. Stan still lives in Charlotte.

Maya Socolovsky’s book titled Troubling Nationhood in U.S. Latina Literature: Exploration of Place and Belonging recently received a very positive review from Choice. Here is a link to the review: http://www.cro3.org/lookup/doi/10.5860/CHOICE.51-1958

Upcoming Events and Deadlines– Here are some dates to keep in mind:

January 8 — First day of classes.

January 17 — Last day to add classes and drop with no grade.

Quirky Quiz Question — Now that I am completing my 30th year at UNC Charlotte, I am reminded of the of the time when I was hired, which occurred during the spring of 1984. The person who was then chair of the English Department stepped down as chair just a few weeks after hiring me. What is the name of this former chair?

Commencement — Last Saturday the UNC Charlotte held its Commencement ceremonies.  A total of sixty-one English majors received their BA degrees, five students received their MA degrees in English, and one student received an MA in English Education.  Also, four students were awarded Graduate Certificates in Technical and Professional Writing, including Brenda Shue, who was honored as the ringer of the Old Bell.  As Kirk and I lined up the students in preparation for the ceremony, I could tell that despite the terrible weather they were excited and proud of their accomplishments.  I congratulate all of them.

Charlotte Teachers Institute — Two faculty members from the English Department will lead seminar for the Charlotte Teachers Institute in 2014,  Paula Connolly will lead a seminar titled Visual Storytelling in Children’s and Young Adult Literature.  This seminar will meet at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture.  Alan Rauch will lead a seminar titled Intersections of Science, Technology and Culture.  This seminar will meet at Discovery Place.  This upcoming year marks the first time that two UNC Charlotte faculty members from one department will lead seminars in the same year.

Of all the departments at UNC Charlotte, the English Department is the only department to provide seminar leaders every year since the inception of the program in 2010.  The previous seminar leaders from English are Lil Brannon (2010), me (2011), Jeffrey Leak (2012), and Ralf Thiede (2013). Also, Brook Blaylock, one of our graduate teaching assistants, is a former CTI Fellow and member of the CTI Steering Committee.

Kudos— As you know, I like to use my Monday Missives to  share news about recent accomplishments by members of our department.  Here is the latest news:

Lil Brannon, together with our former colleague Tony Scott, published an article titled “Democracy, Struggle, and the Praxis of Assessment.”  The article appeared in the December issue of College Composition and Communication, Vol. 65, No. 2, 273-298.

Boyd Davis, together with M. Maclagan, recently published a book chapter titled  “Talking with Maureen: Extenders and Formulaic Language in Small Stories and Canonical Narratives.”  The chapter is in Dialogue and Dementia, edited by R. Schrauf and N. Mueller, and published by Psychology Press, 87-120.  Boyd has also been very busy delivering presentations at conferences all over the world.  Here is a listing she sent me of her most recent conference presentations:

• Ganapathy, AKailas, P Juneja, B Davis, D Shenk 2013. An automated video recommendation system to enhance engagement levels in moderate-Dementia care patients. Wireless Health, Johns Hopkins NOV
• Davis B. 2013. Language & Social Context, Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung ROC OCT
• Maclagan M, Davis B. 2013. Extenders . NZ Language in Society Conference, Christchurch NZ NOV
• Davis B, Maclagan M, Pope C. 2013. Looking at density and complexity in conversations with oldest-old persons with dementia. Gerontology  Society of America NOV
• Davis B, D Shenk. 2013. Beyond reminiscence: using generic video to elicit conversational language.GSA NOV
• Davis B, Shenk D. Convenors, Symposium on Technology-supported Interventions for People with Dementia: Facilitators and Barriers. GSA NOV
• Shenk D, Davis B. Convenors, Symposium on Using Technology to Support Communication with People with Dementia and their Caregivers. GSA   NOV

Lara Vetter delivered a paper on Decmber 7 titled “‘L’Autre’ in H.D.’s Historical Fiction” at the “H.D. and Modernity Conference” held at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, France.

Upcoming Events and Deadlines—  Here are some dates to keep in mind:

• December 17 — The CLAS Celebration of Faculty Achievement will take place in the SAC Salons A and B from 12:00 until 1:00.
• January 8 — First day of classes.
• January 17 — Last day to add classes and drop with no grade.

Quirky Quiz Question — Lara Vetter’s recent presentation in Paris is reflective of the fact that Lara is establishing herself as a leading authority on the writer and poet known as H.D.  What does H.D. stand for?  Lara is not allowed to answer this question.

Engagement Seminar — On Thursday of this week Henry Doss will be leading the fourth and final Engagement Seminar.  The seminar will take place from 3:30 to 4:30 in the our Faculty Lounge.  Organized by Tiffany Morin (the Coordinator of our English Learning Community), these Engagement Seminars provide our English majors with a better understanding of how their studies can prepare them for lives after they graduate.  In this fourth seminar, Henry will help the participants “explore results oriented practices for networking, career enquiry, and how to create broad sets of opportunity. This seminar will be a pragmatic discussion aimed at specific real world approaches for English majors.”

On behalf of the entire English Department, I thank Henry and Tiffany for organizing and leading these Engagement Seminars for our students.  Henry, as many of you know, graduated with an English major from UNC Charlotte, many years ago, but his involvement in our department has not diminished over the years.  In fact, he has become increasingly engaged in the work and mission of our department.  We are fortunate that Henry is willing to share with our students his time and wisdom.

Sigma Tau Delta — Sigma Tau Delta is having a meeting in the English Seminar Room today (Monday) at 3:30.  The meeting is for STD members and also any students interested in knowing more about Sigma Tau Delta.  The students have created flyers about the meeting, and put the flyers in faculty mailboxes so that professors can announce the meeting to their students.

The officers will provide food at the meeting and are thinking of ordering pizza.  The meeting is to update members on current and future Sigma Tau Delta projects, to reach out to students interested in becoming involved with the chapter, and also to ask members for ideas on what our chapter should be doing.

Kudos— As you know, I like to use my Monday Missives to  share news about recent accomplishments by members of our department.  Here is the latest news:

Balaka Basu published a review of Textual Transformations in Children’s Literature:  Adaptations, Translations, Reconsiderations in the most recent issue of the Children’s Literature Association Quarterly.

Lil Brannon recently presented a paper with Jan Rieman titled “First-Year Writing Assessment:  Continuous, Digital and Reflective” at the SAMLA Conference.  It was part of a featured session sponsored by the Carolinas Council of Writing Program Administrators.

Juan Meneses is the subject of a short profile published in Office of International Programs’ online newsletter. You can see it here on page 9: http://issuu.com/unc_charlotte_oip/docs/global_perspective_v9_i2_?e=3021652/5592742

Upcoming Events and Deadlines—  Here are some dates to keep in mind:

November 22 — English Department Meeting, English Conference Room, 11:00-12:30.

November 22 — Please deliver copies of books published in the past year to Alison Walsh in the CLAS Dean’s Office.  These books will be displayed during the CLAS Celebration of Faculty Achievement, which will take place on December 17, 2013, in the SAC Salons A and B from 12:00 until 1:00.

December 5 — The English Department Holiday Party will take place in the Faculty Lounge.  As we get closer to the date, a sign-up sheet will be placed on the front desk for you to note what tasty treats you plan to provide for the party.

Quirky Quiz Question — Jeffrey Leak was in my office this morning and he mentioned the upcoming Panthers games that will take place this evening.   Jeffrey’s comments reminded me that a member of our department will be working with a caterer at the game tonight.  Who is this person?

Last Week’s Quirky Quiz Question— Last week I asked the names of the authors or editors from our department whose books will be honored at the upcoming CLAS Celebration of Faculty Achievement.  Their names are listed below:

Annotated Little Women — Daniel Shealy
Contemporary Dystopian Fiction for Young Adults — Balaka Basu
Critical Digital Literacies as Social Praxis — JuliAna Avila
Dolphin — Alan Rauch
Slavery in American Children’s Literature, 1790-2010 — Paula Connolly 
Troubling Nationhood in U.S. Latina Literature — Maya Socolovsky