Inaugural ‘English Expo’ showcases Mississippi’s legacy of literature
STARKVILLE, Miss.— Mississippi State University’s Department of English recently welcomed high school students from across the state to campus for the inaugural “English Expo: Mississippi in the World,” an interactive event celebrating Mississippi’s literary heritage and showcasing the versatility of English studies.
Held Oct. 23 in the Colvard Student Union, the event invited Mississippi students in grades 9–12 to explore how literature, writing, linguistics and film intersect with real-world skills and careers.
“We wanted to create an experience that celebrated Mississippi’s deep literary roots while also increasing awareness of the many professional paths available, beyond teaching and research. We wanted to show students how the study of English connects to so many aspects of the world around them,” said Abigail Voller, Instructor II and English Expo coordinator. “Through this event, students could see that English isn’t just about reading books––it’s about understanding culture, creativity, communication and the many ways those skills shape meaningful careers and communities.”
Throughout the morning, students attended 20–25-minute sessions highlighting the department’s five academic areas: literature, creative writing, linguistics, writing studies and film studies. They wrote poetry, learned about language variation and explored Southern Gothic literature before taking part in afternoon activities such as recreating early film reels, solving the “Mississippi Fairy Tales” escape room, creating movie posters and competing in the “Linguistics Olympics.”
“It was incredible to see how engaged the students were throughout the day,” Voller said. “They jumped into every session. Many had traveled hours to be here and their enthusiasm never wavered. Watching them discover new interests and connect with Mississippi’s literary heritage was the best part of the day. We were thrilled to see students’ enthusiasm for creative and intellectual exploration and we look forward to hosting the English Expo again in the future.”
More than a dozen MSU faculty and students helped facilitate the event, which also included a lunchtime fair featuring sponsors and student organizations. Participants browsed exhibits from the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College and other campus groups, while browsing free books donated by MSU’s Department of English.
During the closing ceremony, Kelly Marsh, professor of English, delivered a keynote highlighting the success of MSU English alumni and the wide-ranging applicability of English skills in today’s workforce.
Participating schools included Jim Hill High School, New Hope High School, Northwest Rankin High School, Pelahatchie High School and Water Valley High School, as well as homeschool students.
For more information about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences and Department of English, visit www.cas.msstate.edu and www.english.msstate.edu.
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