‘Why I Love English’ Event Wows Underclassmen

By: Kaitlyn Boisvert
Posted In: News

There is more to pursuing a degree in English at Salve Regina University than just reading Shakespeare. The English major helps to expand creativity, it teaches students how to effectively tell stories and it helps students gain a sense of who they are and what they want out of life through studying the literary classics. It also entails coming together with a close-knit “family” of fellow students and faculty that shares the same interests and helps each other in pursuing all of their aspirations.

The purpose of the “Why I Love English” event on Wednesday, Nov. 10 was to share this knowledge with Salve freshmen, and to encourage them to pursue either a major or a minor in English literature or communications. The event was located in the Antone Academic Center’s DiStefano Lecture Hall. Faculty and students alike enjoyed themselves while they stood up at the podium and shared their love for English with the audience, as well as explaining all of the benefits that can arise out of pursuing an English degree.

The first to speak were upperclassmen English majors, who all explained why they loved English and described their experiences of pursuing their degrees at Salve Regina University.

“With English, I do not feel limited,” said Jacqueline Lawler, a junior majoring in English and Secondary Education. “It teaches you how to do so much, like cultivating ideas, how to write and effectively reading text- all which are traits that can help you in any career path you pursue.”

The speakers also described the world of English and why it is so fascinating. Ariel Guertin, a junior and double major in English literature and communications, offered her own input. “Words are essential to who you are,” she said. “They help you convey emotions and escape the banalities of every day life.”

Allison Riendeau, a senior majoring in English Literature, commented on how English can provide inspiration to the heart and result in beautiful artistic pieces. “You can take your experiences, mix it up with writing, and share it to the world as a beautiful, inspiring story that touches the hearts of many,” she said.

Following the students were two of Salve Regina’s English professors. First to speak was Stephen Trainor, Ph.D., who got everyone high in spirits by playing a slideshow that presented silly pictures and a few fake book covers that made plays on famous titles, such as the “Apes of Wrath.” As he got everyone laughing, he delved into his presentation, reveling in his love for the field of English and the benefits it bestows upon people who encounter it. “Art does something for us,” he said. “It helps us step into the looking glass, don a different perspective, and help us discover what is beautiful, good and true. Everything has beauty-and it comes through art.”

Donna Harrington-Lueker, Ph.D., spoke next with a more serious tone in order to convey that words are powerful. She read aloud an excerpt from “Enrique’s Journey,” a series of articles written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sonia Nazario. The articles presented the true story of a young boy, who ventured on a perilous journey from Honduras to America in search of his mother. As Harrington-Lueker read, the silent lecture hall was filled with serious and powerful words that told a heart-breaking story.

“Writing can bring voice to the voiceless,” Harrington-Lueker said. “It is through writing like this that we can teach people and bring necessary change to the world.”

In an discussion afterwords, the audience members shared their aspirations, while the upperclassmen relayed their experiences and offered advice to their younger peers to help them in pursuing their careers in English.

Allie Cappucci, a freshman, was one of the members of the audience. An art major, Cappucci attended the event because she was considering pursuing a minor in English Literature. Having won a few writing contests while she was in high school, Cappucci was a longtime fan of writing, and when asked why she loved English, she said: “I love it because it helps us in communicating effectively and expressing ourselves.” After the lecture, Cappucci was further convinced that she would pursue a minor in English.

The event succeeded in entertaining students and teaching underclassmen the benefits that English majors are afforded. Following the lecture, Lawler said, “English accounts for an important part of human beings, and it helps us maintain our humanity. Everything about being human can be taught through English.”