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AD CoveranEvent - Fisher
AD CoveranEvent - Fisher
By Diamond Fisher
April 29, 2017 6:08 p.m.
College Park, Md. - At 5:30 p.m. on April 25, 2017, University of Maryland College
Parks English Undergraduate Association hosted a Jane Austen inspired event in the Tawes
Flyers were posted all around campus advertising for lovers of Jane Austen and literature
to come and join the undergraduate English Association for a discussion of their favorite books
written by Jane Austen and activities such as learning how to cross stitch, etiquette quizzes,
The event kicked off with the reading of a passage by the club's president, Elizabeth, who
was dressed in a dress that closely resembled the timely dresses characters in Jane Austen's
books wore. There were about 30 people attending the event, the majority being English Majors
planning consisted of the group deciding the best time and date for the event and what member
It really isnt a lot to do, we have the full support of the English department and other
students, its really an opportunity to relax and chat with others with similar interests to your
The event lasted until 7:30 p.m. and many people came and went. The first thing guests
did was go around introducing themselves and learning the names of others. Classical music
played in the background as guests drank tea and ate cookies members of the club had made for
the event. Many gathered around the club treasurer, Vaishnavi, as she taught them how to cross
stitch a heart; all of the materials needed were provided for guests.
The event came to an end after a rowdy game of matchmaking where guests had to go
around the room looking for someone who fit the characteristics on the character card they had
been given. All of the characters were from a number of Jane Austen stories and knowledge of
the character and the book helped a few find their match faster. After the game was over
everyone settled down to test just how much knowledge they possessed about proper etiquette.
The English Undergraduate Association plans and host events and look into ways to
improve the English undergraduate experience at the University. Anyone may join the group
regardless of major or minor and University status although many of the members are English
majors.
The group has been active for around 8 years and every semester they have three events.
These events are apart of their Writers Dead and Gone series and each event focuses on one
author and their work. They provide guests with the opportunities to participate in activities seen
in the author's books and the time and place the books take place in.
The organization gets their funding from the English Department and every year they
apply for a special club scholarship and the scholarship covers the cost of hosting their events
and being able to provide guests with food and activities and other materials that will assist them
in venturing into the world of whichever author the event is focused on.
The group consists of the basic official roles that many clubs have; a president, vice
president, secretary and treasurer. Every member has a say in what events should be done for the
semester and during their group meetings at the beginning of each semester they throw around
One author that they do every fall semester is Edgar Allan Poe simply because the group
is based in Maryland and Edgar Allan Poe was such a prominent author and a resident of
Maryland. The final event of the 2016-2017 school year was focused on the female author Jane
Austen. Along with their Writers Dead and Gone events, the association has a book club and
We like to show honor and appreciation to the wonderful writers who have work that
outlives them and continues to speak on timeless topics, says club treasurer Vaishnavi.
Students can look forward to the Writers Dead and Gone series starting backup at the
beginning of the 2017 fall semester with another event offering free food and a glimpse into a