Last Updated: 2/19/09 
2008 GSEA Graduate Conference: "Critical Voices in Literature and Culture "
GSEA hosted its first annual Critical Voices conference on March 28, 2008. Professor Robert Darden of Baylor University served as the keynote speaker, speaking toward the theme, "Critical Voices in Literature and Culture." The conference included several critical and creative panels, and Dr. Robert Upchurch was honored as 2007-8's Faculty Member of the Year.
In his keynote speech, Mr. Darden talked about his life and career, particularly his experiences working for Billboard magazine as Gospel Music Editor in the eighties and early nineties. As a journalist, author and Associate Professor at Baylor University, much of Mr. Darden's work has focused on the notion of the "critical voice" in written art forms. He is the author of more than two dozen books and hundreds of articles and short stories, which have appeared in The New York Times, The Oxford American, and Southern Arts, among others. Most of Mr. Darden's speech, however, was a helpful how-to, addressing the mythology of writer's block--from a prolific writer like Darden, this information proved imminently useful to the fifty or so graduate students and faculty who attended. The GSEA wishes to thank Mr. Darden for his time and his enthusiasm at last year's conference.
Dr. Robert Upchurch, professor of Medieval literature at UNT, accepted the year's Faculty Member of the Year Award. Dr. Upchurch continues to go above and beyond in support of English graduate students, both in his work with the department and by providing personal guidance as they navigate their academic careers. He spoke fondly of students and expressed enthusiasm for their futures.
This year's conference had nine critical panels and one creative panel, as well as a pedagogy panel where professors from all branches of the English department shared their teaching methods with graduate students, many of whom were new teachers themselves. We wish to congratulate and thank everyone who participated.