Texas A&M-Commerce Hall of Languages, Room 203

English 102 December 17, 2009, 10:30-12:30

Commerce Writes Symposium, Fall 2009

Panel #1: Students

Morgan Saxon, “More Than Scholarship” (video)

Investigated perceptions of the current cohort of Honors College students at Texas
A&M-Commerce, including concerns about stereotyping the “smart” student

Vanesa Navarro, “Through The Eyes of Students: The East Texan During World War II”
A study of East Texas State Teachers College through the pages of the East Texan
(student paper) before, during, and immediately after World War II

Rachel Bailey, “Fear. Failure. Stress. Literacy.” (video)

An exploration of various outlets for stress among three Honors College Students, with particular
attention paid to the one most common outlet: organization, and the incredible variety of texts
generated by these students in pursuit of this goal

JenAnne Shumway, “Does Their ‘tude and Mood Affect Your Food?”
An exploration of how students view the visual literacy through body language, and how this
impacts the text via comment cards

Panel #2: Community

Hunter Joyce, “Past Panels: The Influence of Our Literacy History” (video)
A study of the ways in which previous experiences with texts affect present reading and writing
practices. Current project focuses on the reading of comic books as described by readers and
creators of comics.

Caroline Carleson, “Heartfelt and Timeless”

Exploration of Cowhill Songwriter’s Night (Commerce, Texas) as a sponsor of literacy (Brandt),
focusing on how ambiance, opportunity, and audience reactions encourage growth in creativity

Breanna Irvin, “The BSU: Reaching Out to Students Through a Variety of Methods”
A study of the methods used by the Baptist Student Ministry at Texas A&M-Commerce to reach
out to students across campus

Haley Mull, “Catholic Discrimination”

A study of Catholics in Commerce, Texas, especially with respect to the Catholic Student
Organization (CSO) and discrimination as experienced among its membership, with
added views of non-Catholics as well.

Arielle McMahon, “Literacy as an Art”

A study of visual literacy as communicated in the university art gallery and the potential for more
extensive community involvement via a proposed art gallery on the square in downtown
Commerce

Panel #3: Extracurricular

Samantha Reece and Andrew Davis, “Basketball Literacy” (video)

Investigation of the Commerce Men’s Basketball team and their uses of texts both on and off the
court
 Haley Richburg, “Who Runs 12 Miles?” (video)
A study of the various texts engaged by cross country runners, as well as how these runners use
them

Lindsey Durham, “Title?”

Nathaniel Brinlee, “The Impact of Project STEEM”

Study of impact of Project STEEM on the participants involved and their future approaches to the
disciplines represented therein (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)

Jude, “Title?”

Alyx Davidson, “New Members at Alpha Phi: Influence and Involvement”

An insider's look at the influential factors within the sorority and how they affect new member's
perceptions, behaviors, and actions. Also a study of the different levels of exposure to the Greek
culture and resulting involvement within the society.

Panel #4: Life History

Jeremy Bordon, “Like Father, Unlike Son”

Autoethnography on the different literacy practices between father and son, and the resulting
influences on the social relationship between the two

Ashley Moses, “Are You Right Handed or Left Handed?”

Investigation of patterns of life experiences leading to left-hand or right-hand dominance, with
particular attention paid to experiences the researcher calls “force-handedness” in school or in the
home. Participants students and staff at A&M-Commerce.

Eddie Arciga, “Do Personal Histories Affect Views of the ‘Model Student’?”
A study of the common themes among two Mexican-American, high-achieving students and their
views of the “model student.” Participants currently students at A&M-Commerce.

Panel #5: Potpourri

Jessica Martin, “Through the Eyes of a Photographer” (video)

A study of two “hobbiest” photographers and one professional photographer, especially in terms of
“sponsorship” (Brandt). All participants photographers in Commerce and Paris, Texas.

Adam Martin, “The Latest Lingo”

A study in the “ideals” of informal literacy and the communities in which it thrives (focus on
Facebook)

Allie Stauffer, “L173R4CY”

A study in the perceived differences between high schoolers who identify as “math” people and
those who identify as English people. Differences described by students at Commerce High
School.
 Join Us!

Presentations open to the public. All researchers English 102 students at Texas A&M-
Commerce.

Hall of Languages, Room 203

Thursday, 12/17/09, 10:30-12:30