A master’s degree in English gives a student a plethora of opportunities. Dr. Dejun Liu, head of the Department of Languages and Communications, Dr. Diljit Chatha, coordinator of the M.A. degree program, and the faculty decided to unveil the opportunities of graduate education by hosting a Young Scholars Mixer last Tuesday. Undergraduate and graduate members from the English Honor Society, English graduate students, as well as graduate professors were all in attendance for the event to inform students and to answer questions.
The program opened with a motivating poem “Booker T. and W.E.B,” read by Jason Hooey, which discussed the several opportunities open to all who strived for them. This poem was fitting for the event because it discussed the strength one receives from the will to achieve.
Dr. Antonio Jocson, assistant professor of English, informed students on the steps to take that toward earning a master’s degree in English. He said that graduate school was not anything to be afraid of and something he was sure that students would enjoy.
He acknowledged that it was hard work, but the courses consisted of open discussions that students enjoyed and participated in. What matters most, Jocson said, is that the students wanted to learn and the English professors made sure the students are learning in a good environment. Dr. William Parker, dean of the Graduate School and Dr. Danny R. Kelly, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, were also in attendance.
Taniece Eure took attendees into the world of Shakespeare as she read Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130. Dr. Edward L. Mason, Dr. Judith E. Hansen and Dr. Sarah Wakefield enlightened the audience with advice to stay on track for undergraduate studies and graduate school.
Wakefield reminded students that in order to be prepared for graduate school they should not take their undergraduate studies lightly. “Graduate school is hard work but with dedication anything is possible,” she said.
The program was coordinated by Dr. Diljit Chatha, professor of English.