Senior English Presentations Were a Huge Success

Viewed from left to right: Chelsea Moore, Ben Gillespie, and Ashley Marsteller. (photo by Crystal Adams)

By Ashley Marsteller

BPC Staff Writer

MOUNT VERNON—Three English seniors displayed the fruits of their labors on Friday, April 13, in the Gilder Recital Hall when the BPC English Department hosted the Senior Thesis Presentations. The senior thesis is a 20-25 page paper covering any topic of each student’s choosing. It is the culmination of their studies and research spanning all of the years which they served in the program. Each student is given a time slot of 15-20 minutes to present the main arguments in their paper.

Chelsea Moore’s paper, “A Different Outlook of Cinderella,” highlighted the significant archetypes within various portrayals of the story of Cinderella and the influence of icons in society. Ben Gillespie’s thesis, “A Literary Exploration of PTSD,” examined a book of short stories illustrating the destructiveness of post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans. Ashley Marsteller’s composition, “Wabi-Sabi and the Pursuit of Happiness,” illustrated the Japanese philosophy of simple and harmonic living.   

Around 40 guests were in attendance as friends and family came to support the students. Director of English, Dr. Ruth Ellen Porter, welcomed the crowd, and Creative Writing Professor, Dr. Thom Brucie, introduced the speakers. Following their presentations, the students expressed their thanks to family members, peers, and professors who supported them and enriched their years at Brewton-Parker College.    

The event lasted a little over an hour and ended without a hitch. Everyone involved had only good things to say. “I am incredibly proud of our seniors,” commented Director of English, Dr. Porter, “They have displayed commitment to their discipline and have fulfilled the requirements of a rigorous degree, but they have also learned the joy that such dedication brings. I feel privileged to have instructed them."

-BPC-

The mission of Brewton-Parker College, a Georgia Baptist college, is to develop the whole student through the application of Biblically-centered truth to a liberal arts curriculum in a community of shared Christian values.

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