GARRETT WAIT
Sports Editor
Most Pepperdine students may think of tea and crumpets as a tradition of the past, but the English department’s high tea Wednesday in the faculty dining room revived the British custom in a very American environment.
Hosted by Dr. Victoria Myers, the high tea boasted a bevy of treats to satisfy the students and faculty who attended.
A table strewn with finger sandwiches, scones and yogurt-dipped strawberries gave attendees something to munch on as they sipped Earl Grey while listening to English professors and alumni speak about Pepperdine’s English major.
Myers said the tea came about as a product of brainstorming among those in the English department.
“We felt like English majors needed some bonding and a good way to do it would be some kind of get together,” Myers said. “Being English professors we think in terms of tea and the old country, of course.”
The tea was used to give those interested in majoring in English a little more information as well as give current English majors a chance to get to know one another in a non-academic environment, according to Myers.
“The whole purpose was to bring English students together and have good, personal conversation,” Myers said. “We tried to attract non-English majors and bring non-major and English into the same community.”
Myers said the literary culture at Pepperdine lacks in some ways, and the English department is working hard to get it in order. The tea was just one way to get Pepperdine students more actively involved with the English major.
“I think students at Pepperdine could use a much more literary culture,” Myers said.
“It is increasing lately. We have a literary magazine, and there are poetry readings done through the creative writing program, but we don’t really do a lot outside of class with English majors.”
The event in the faculty dining room covered the gamut of what the English department offers. All three of the English departments focuses were highlighted, with the head of each emphasis speaking about what their particular emphasis brings to the table.
The three emphases, English literature, writing and rhetoric, and English education all offer a different set of classes for interested students.
Myers heads the English literature emphasis, Dr. Lee Ann Carroll offers writing and rhetoric, and Dr. Maire Mullins is in charge of English education.
Along with the professors who spoke about their particular emphasis, two alumni offered their thoughts on life after Pepperdine for those who major in English.
Kelly Klintworth, who teaches at Oaks Christian School in Thousand Oaks, spoke about her love of teaching and Katrina Scott, who teaches in Baltimore with Teach for America, offered her thoughts on urban education in America.
The English department left the doors open to all students in freshman English classes, but the room was mostly filled with current English majors.
The English department is reaching out to students who haven’t decided on their major, according to Myers.
“This tea is not the only outreach we’re doing,” Myers said. “We’re participating in Preview Day and reaching out to non-majors in that way.”
After all the tea was downed and all the treats eaten, Myers said she was happy with the event and personally hopes it can be done again.
“I was very happy with the atmosphere at the tea,” Myers said. “I thought that there was a great deal of collegiality. I think that we sort of broke the ice.
“We haven’t been engaged in any kind of organized or deliberate outreach prior to this year, but we’re definitely taking steps in the right direction.
“I’m hoping (the other English professors) feel the same way I do, that it was extremely successful and worth doing again.”
11-01-2005