Spartans Share Unique Perspectives at Sigma Tau Delta Convention

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Five University of Dubuque students connected by an English major or minor shared their unique perspectives at the Sigma Tau Delta 2026 Convention during a roundtable session about the convention's common reader, Salvage the Bones.

Embracing the convention theme of "Second Lines and New Beginnings," members of UD's Alpha Nu Chi Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta were selected to present their panel, "Reconstructing Motherhood: Maternal Archetypes and Identity in Salvage the Bones," focused on keynote speaker Jesmyn Ward's National Book Award-winning novel.

"We focused our conversation on the non-traditional types of motherhood in the book Salvage the Bones," said Morgan McBride, a senior English in secondary education and English double major from Polo, Illinois, who served as president of Alpha Nu Chi. "I hope that those who attended and participated in the discussion were able to see that motherhood is not a static thing, it does not only belong to a woman who has given birth. Rather it is a fluid concept of caring for the things in your life, and caring enough to fight for them, to protect them. That's what is seen through Esch's story, and I think we did a good job of communicating that everyone is capable of exhibiting these characteristics."

The convention was held March 29, 2026, through April 1, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana. McBride was joined by Morgan Dalsing, a junior digital art and design and English double major from Dubuque, Iowa; Connor Earles, a senior human health science major and English minor from Dubuque, Iowa; Dazza Mitchell, a first-year biology major and English minor from Regina, Saskatchewan; and Christopher Phillippe, a senior English in secondary education and English double major from Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

"Beyond the variety of disciplines being united by the English major or minor thread, this group of students worked extremely hard to incorporate mythology, poverty, education, and psychology into their presentation," said Andrew Jones, MFA, advisor of Alpha Nu Chi and professor of English and creative writing. "What stood out to me the most on the trip was their ability to initiate conversations during conference panels, regional receptions, and interactions with locals. As audience members and as presenters, they embodied missional values of the University and created connections with students from around the country. It was very encouraging to witness them demonstrating the skills they've developed across their English courses on a much larger stage in front of unfamiliar faces. Their hard work definitely paid off."

Earles had never before been part of a roundtable session. He said weekly Alpha Nu Chi meetings and a close-knit community encouraged him to keep going.

"My experience during the actual roundtable was not without stress, but being able to present alongside my friends made it far more enjoyable," Earles said. "While planning, we made a conscious effort to ensure that everyone had the opportunity to speak not only about their assigned topic but also about what they personally found most interesting in the book. This approach allowed us to blend a variety of perspectives with our genuine interests, which I believe resulted in a lively and diverse conversation."

Among those perspectives was someone who joined Alpha Nu Chi around spring break. With the help of his fellow students, Mitchell compressed a year's worth of work into a month to be ready to present at the convention. It was an experience he would not have traded, though.

"The session itself was a lot of fun; we were challenged by the audience but were also able to give quality answers and remain focused on our topics," Mitchell said. "I hope the audience members from our panel learned how many different ways you can approach the same theme. Despite having the main focus of motherhood in Salvage the Bones, all of us were able to supply a different view of motherhood and how it affected the main character. Books and literature are truly fascinating in this manner. Even when you think you know exactly what the passage was about, someone else can come along and notice something completely different and make you think differently. There is a real joy in discovering new and interesting ideas within books, sometimes ones even the authors did not create intentionally."

During the convention, Mitchell also served as a panel chair for two sessions and Dalsing presented an original prose piece titled When God Sleeps. Alpha Nu Chi members have presented five times at the convention in the last 20 years. On average, UD students present individual papers on separate topics every four to five years.

"Getting to be a part of a historic group like Sigma Tau Delta is a surreal experience," Mitchell said. "Coming from a place where Greek societies of big colleges isn't really a thing, it was awesome to witness what a national/international honors group is capable of. Even though it can be hard, and add another task to your plate, I would recommend everyone try to join some sort of group. The friends I made and experiences we had together both while working on our project and in New Orleans were once in a lifetime."

While attending the conference, students explored some of the culture of New Orleans via food, music, and a literary walking tour of the French Quarter.

"My dad is a businessman, and he always says that making connections outside of the convention walls is just as, if not more, important as the convention itself," McBride said. "Attending the convention, and making connections after, gave me a chance to not only grow closer with the other members of the Alpha Nu Chi Chapter but also make connections with other English majors in different states. It helped me understand that the English world is bigger than the classroom, or the places our work gets published. And the connections and people you meet here matter."

Alpha Nu Chi was founded in 2006. Eleven student members were active this academic year with six active faculty members. Each year, the chapter officially inducts about three to six new members. Alpha Nu Chi has 153 lifetime members.

"Alpha Nu Chi has provided a great way to relax and have fun on campus. As a commuter student, I often feel like my time on campus is limited to classes and studying, but through Alpha Nu Chi, I know I have a space where I can step away from my hectic schedule," Earles said. "The convention also had a significant impact on me. I find this to be true whenever I travel with the University; it introduces me to new experiences, helps me appreciate different cultures, and makes me more curious about the broader world."

Members of Alpha Nu Chi are planning possible presentations with the intention of attending the Sigma Tau Delta Convention next year since it is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The five students who were able to attend this year's convention remain grateful to those who made it possible.

"I just want to say thank you to the professors and members that helped support us in this journey," McBride said. "And especially a huge thank you to the anonymous alums/UD supporters who paid for our trip. It would not have been possible without you, and this is an experience that I will truly never forget."