Mercer Times

Twenty-four students from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) participated in the Sigma Tau Delta Centennial Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, last month. During the event, the students presented their critical and creative work and engaged in professional development workshops led by the Modern Language Association. They also took part in roundtables on internships, teaching, and popular culture.

“Our students were excellent ambassadors from TCNJ and have made us all proud,” stated Felicia Steele, Chair of the English Department. “They are a remarkable group of students.”

The convention acknowledged TCNJ’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta in its 30th year as the outstanding national chapter, awarding it a $500 cash prize. Faculty members Diane Steinberg and Felicia Steele were honored for their long-standing service to the organization.

Several students excelled at the convention, receiving top honors for their critical work. Joelle DuFault ’25 secured first place in the Stemmler/Dennis LGBT& category with her paper “The Haunting of Gender and Sexuality in Rebecca.” In the Children’s Literature category, Emma Diamond ’24, MA ’25, was awarded second place for her paper “Anthropocentric Anthropomorphism in Children’s Literature.” Maggie Machado ’24, MA ’25 won third place in the American Literature category for her paper “An Image of Indigeneity: Orientalism in Moby-Dick.” Additionally, Lauren Farrell, a graduate student in the Special Education program, earned an honorable mention for the Judson Q. Owens Convention Theme/Common Reader awards for her essay “The Dismembered Body and Generational Trauma.”

"To win an award, much less a first-place award, feels incredibly validating," remarked DuFault. "It shows me that not only can I do this work — and do it well — but also the importance of independent research programs and supportive faculty."