Four Chowan University English majors participated in the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS) on November 7, 2020. The virtual event, hosted by East Carolina University and Elizabeth City State University, had pre-approved students submit ten-minute video presentations in lieu of the annual in-person symposium. 

Seniors Otis Hunter, Kayla Gates, and Grace Arredondo along with junior Alexis Williamson each submitted their respective pieces. Hunter delivered a powerful spoken word performance of his original poem “Why Do We Riot?” which portrays how the recent Black Lives Matter protests were a last but necessary resort after years of peaceful demonstrations against bigotry, hatred, and police brutality sparking little change. Gates presented her literary analysis of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “In Memoriam A.H.H” entitled, “Tennyson’s Exploration of God and Grief”. Arredondo’s presentation of her paper, “The Four Suitors”, explored Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and how each multidimensional male character is portrayed as essential, but secondary to the empowering female leads. And Williamson’s “Untold Story of Wilmington” discusses the Wilmington Race Riot that occurred on November 10, 1898, from the perspective of eye witness accounts.

"This is the third straight year that English majors from Chowan University have presented at SNCURCS, a very prestigious statewide conference," shared Tim Hayes, English Department Chair and Associate Professor of English.  "Their presentations compare well with presentations made by students from much larger and more famous universities in our state. This confirms that Chowan’s best students are just as strong and talented as top students elsewhere, something we should take great pride in."

Please join Chowan University in congratulating all four dedicated students for continuing to contribute exemplary work and research despite the hardship of the COVID- 19 pandemic.