Taking an Inside Look at Longwood's Largest Major

By Maria Soliven
Rotunda ReporterIt is no secret that some of Longwood's quirkiest professors are located within Grainger's walls. They are busy analyzing literary masterpieces, encouraging students to creatively produce their own, and transforming ordinary classrooms into slices of France, Germany or Spain.

Chaired by Dr. Rhonda Brock-Servais, English and Modern Languages is Longwood's largest department. It consists of 40 full-time faculty members, 224 majors, and 53 minors.

Because Modern Languages is part of the English department, the faculty is notably diverse. "We have lots of different people who do lots of different things," said Brock-Servais. "Instead of clashing, we are all very supportive of one another, and that's what makes us upbeat."

English Professor Dr. Craig Challender also commented on the harmony in the department. "It's a nice place to play," Challender said. "We all get along with each other pretty well, and work well together professionally."

Challender noted that Longwood's size and close-knit environment helps unite both the faculty and students in a way that would be harder at one of the bigger institutions.

"Those of us who are here for the long haul are here because we like to teach," said Challender. "We won't have enough time to do as much of our own work as we would like, [but] most of us get charged up when going into a classroom. And when the majority of the people feel the same way, it's something that bonds us."

Aside from the positive energy that seems to radiate from faculty offices, students enrolled in the department also enjoy their area of study.

Senior Ben Byrnes, who is a proud English major, takes pleasure in the accessibility and mindset of his professors. "I like the willingness and strong desires that they have for the students in the class to succeed," said Byrnes. "You have to write, you have to read, you have to be part of the discussion. They expect the most out of you."

This quote stands true with Brock-Servais's motto for the department: "Reading, Writing, Thinking."

"It's not just about being able to read, but being able to read critically," said Brock-Servais. She then added that students should not only know how to interpret literature, but they should know how to analyze real world things such as President Obama's speeches as well.

Challender stated that upon graduation, the faculty also wants students to "to be able to apply different kinds of literary theory to explain how literature works." He wants his students to be able to read American, English, or even World Literature in a writer's mindset.

"We're a very student-centered department," she said. "Our students are important to us; they are what we do best."

Byrnes is pleased with what the department has given him and believes that it has helped him pave the path to his long-term goal. "I'd really like to do anything associated with editing or public relations, maybe even advertising. Eventually, my goal is to write."

Byrnes stated that he has liked to write before he entered the major, but now enjoys creative writing as well. He believes that being an English major has also helped him to be more critical of everything that he writes, not doubting for a second that this is the place for him.

"Regardless of your major, you're going to be writing a lot anyway," Byrnes added.

Being an English major is not only about published writing. While some alumni go on to graduate school, other department graduates have gone on to things such as broadcasting, law school, a children's theater in Chicago, and a teaching job in Egypt. One even got accepted into the FBI Academy.

Though the possibilities are endless, most of the graduates do go on to become teachers. Matthew Prickett is a Longwood graduate and currently teaches English, within the department in which he was once a student.

"We have a number of students who have gone on to graduate school," said Challender. "In fact, some of my past graduates have asked me for letters of recommendation for things outside what you would think of is normal for an English major."

Challender believes that English, like many of the other liberal art majors, is a good basic background for going into other areas.