NIC hosted the annual Northwest Undergraduate Conference in the Humanities for the first time this month. A crowd of 50 students from regional institutions submitted papers on various subjects concerning the different aspects of the humanities in time for the conference on Nov. 5. Papers focused on a range of different topics such as sociology, personal narratives, literary criticisms, and others. The conference took place from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, filled with different panels and a talk from the keynote speaker, Jess Walter.
The panels were an hour and fifteen minutes long and organized by the topic by which the papers that were submitted. Three to four students were on each panel and had the opportunity to present their papers or speak about the topic of discussion. The panels were then opened to questions from the audience.
NIC was well represented at the conference with 22 papers selected for panels.
There were four different sessions of panels which were broken up by the keynote address, given by Jess Walter, over lunch.
Walter, an award winning writer living in Spokane, WA, spoke about the importance and value that the study of the humanities still has on today’s world. At many points during his address, Walter conveyed his point by means of comedy and profanity. Many members of the audience expressed shock and exasperation, but his argument appeared to land in good humor.
Following lunch, the last two sessions of panels took place and the conference concluded.
Several NIC students found this conference to be both a benefit to their education, as well as an opportunity for professional development.
“There’s not a ton of opportunities all the time, so it’s good,” said NIC freshman Alison White. “I’m glad I have it on my educational résumé.”
White presented on the different theories of socialization, while incorporating her own opinion into her work.
White, as well as other NIC students, had not previously experienced an academic conference and were pleased that NIC was able to host. Many students were encouraged and supported by their instructors to submit their work to the conference.
“It was something that was a little out of my comfort zone… so it allowed me to kind of stretch those muscles a little bit and experience something new and different in my personal growth process,” NIC student Nathan Hansen said.
Hansen authored a work of creative writing that was written about a place in the wilderness that has great sentimental value in his life.
Because the conference is an annual event, students are encouraged to reach out to their teachers and submit their work next year. It is an opportunity to share ideas with other students in the country, present your own ideas and cultivate intellectually stimulation conversation among peers.
