On April 21, Drury University’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta hosted the English department’s annual symposium. Starting at 9am with poetry readings from students, and going all the way to 8pm with a celebration of graduating seniors, the day was rife with presentations and activities that displayed the talent at Drury.
This event, which occurs every spring semester, is an inclusive wrap-up of the year in the humanities departments, and Sigma Tau Delta president Cheyenne Heavener crafted a line up of workshops, publishing opportunities, alumni panels, and a showcase of student work. The Harwood Reading Room in Olin Library was packed full of safely, socially-distanced students and faculty alike to enjoy the festivities.
As with every year, the English symposium coincides with the release of Currents. This year, Professor Jo Van Arkel and one of the lead editors Claire Ellerman spoke on the production of this year’s edition, from its initial selection of theme to the printing process. As Van Arkel and Ellerman said, “homebodies” carefully and confidently summarized the pandemic year of 2020 by featuring the creative works–fiction, poetry, and art–that were created while at home.
Once the edition had been officially released, a copy in each person’s hands, students whose work was published in it were able to read to the socially-distanced crowd. Because Currents is such a student driven production at every level, hearing students read from the pages of their copies was a fantastic way to cap off the release.
As the school year winds down, the incoming staff is excited to create another robust issue of Drury’s literary magazine next fall.