The SoGE had a strong presence at the 43^rd annual National Association for Developmental Education (NADE) conference in Atlanta on March 6–9. Sixteen presentations were given by the following: Sheryl Bone (FT Comp/WAC), Galia Fussell (FT Comp/WAC), David Healey (FT Comp/WAC), Ashley Johnson (FT Comp/WAC), Leslie Johnson (Assistant Chair, Math), Michael Keathley (Chair, Comp/WAC), Teresa Marie Kelly (FT Comp/WAC), Kirsten Meymaris (FT Math), Tami Tacker (FT Math), Emily Thompson (FTA Comp/WAC), Stephanie Thompson (FT Comp/WAC), Josef Vice (FT Comp/WAC) and Nikki Williams (Assistant Chair, Science).

The conference theme, “Prepared for Takeoff!,” focused on current trends and best practices to address the recommended reform changes. In addition to numerous sessions, conference participants participated in study tours, donated books for a literacy project, and supported students with NADE scholarships through the annual silent auction. NADE also announced its name is changing to the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS).

The conference stimulated many connections inside and outside of Purdue Global. “The interactions at NADE prove categorically that just because a group works as a virtual team does not make it less of a team,” said Teresa Marie Kelly. Stephanie Thompson and Emily Thompson presented “Intercultural Rhetoric in the Composition Classroom,” which provided an overview of the recently revised CM 220. The Thompsons (no relation) met in person for the first time and bonded over their love of Veronica Mars. The group even met one new incoming adjunct; Alvin Harmon, and other local members of the PG family that live in the area during a Friday evening dinner at Atlanta’s James Beard Award Winning Miller Union.

February 26^th and 27^th marked the culmination of another virtual literary festival! The theme; "Worlds Beyond: Exploration and Imagination," featured Mimi Gough and Sara Wink as our keynote speakers. Gough shared about her nonfiction novel, From Fledgling to Flier, chronicling WWII letters and treasures her father left behind (more information on Gough’s website). Meanwhile, Wink (pen name Jean Lee), talked about her recently published young adult novel, Fallen Princeborn: Stolen, a tale of fantasy and adventure in a dystopian setting (more information on the novel’s Amazon page).

The festival also boasted workshops touching on genres accepted by The Gauge literary journal (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and photography), as well as workshops on revision, finding time to write, blogging, the Humanities’ department book club, and the ever-popular haiku workshop. Congratulations to Misty Thompson, who won first place, as well as David Healey, Ritu Sharma, Teresa “TK” Kelly, and Leslie Johnson who all placed in the contest.

Lastly, this festival had the largest number of mini-literature presentations, leaving attendees asking for longer sessions to continue hearing the amazing things presenters had to say as well as having more time for discussion on each topic. In the end, the success of the festival is all due to the magnificent job the presenters did, the array of topics and ideas presented, and the remarkable attendance and participation that brought excitement, inspiration, and creativity to this event! Thanks to all! Stay tuned for information on the 2020 Virtual Literary Festival! In the meantime, for access to archives, presenter bios, and more, please visit the festival website.