Four Troy University English majors and five English faculty members presented at the South Atlantic Modern Language Association (SAMLA) conference that was held in Atlanta, Georgia, from Nov. 6 through Nov. 8.
Students, Thomas Kay, Anais Shelley, Ileana Lampon and Madeline Birge, represented TROY at the 97thannual conference, which featured panels, speakers and events. TROY English department faculty members, Dr. Ben Robertson, Anna Orlofsky, Katelyn Schuler, Kristin Ross and Ekaterina Kobeleva, also presented at the conference.
Dr. Robertson said that the department is extremely proud of the students who participated in the conference.
“This kind of experience gives the students valuable public-speaking and career-networking experience that will be beneficial for those planning on graduate school and for those planning on going into a career track right after graduation,” Dr. Robertson said. “This type of activity is not required of undergraduates, which makes it all the more significant as an achievement. The four students represented the English Department and the university as a whole with a professional competence that sets them apart from the ordinary.”
Thomas Kay, a senior from Monroe, Louisiana, said it was fulfilling to participate in the academic world while still in college.
“SAMLA was a wonderful opportunity to get a little bit of a head start professionally as well and will help to give me a competitive edge both in the job market and in grad school applications,” Kay said. “I look forward to the next opportunity to present my research as my current project continues, whether that be at SAMLA or at other conferences.”
Anais Shelley, a senior from Danzey, Alabama, considered it a great honor to be surrounded by her friends and professors at the event.
“To know that my research is considered to bring some kind of value to humanities studies, enough value for me to be welcomed at an event like this, is kind of hard to believe,” Shelley said. “I am incredibly thankful for the supportive department that made this entire thing possible through their constant encouragement and full support.”
About SAMLA
The South Atlantic Modern Language Association is an organization of teachers, scholars and students dedicated to the advancement of literary and linguistic scholarship and teaching in the modern languages. Founded in 1928, SAMLA started as a regional organization but now extends its membership throughout the southeastern United States, across the country and around the world.
SAMLA established the South Atlantic Review in 1935 as its official publication, which has published essays, review essays and book reviews on a variety of literary, linguistic and cultural topics.
