Site-Wide Activity

Taylor Swift’s Impact on the Academic World Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” is swiftly approaching its release on April 19 and the internet has not kept quiet about its opinions on the new album, specifically on the grammar choice in the title. Due to the academic nature of the debate, several Millersville University professors provided their input into Swift’s controversial grammar decision. Swift announced her new album on Feb. 4 at the Grammy Awards, sparking an online debate about the decision to leave the apostrophe out of the word “poets.” Many took to social media to post their opinions and thoughts about whether the grammar choice was right or wrong, and many MU professors also have opinions on the grammar choice and the importance of this debate in an academic setting. Dr. Yufeng Zhang, an associate English professor at MU, explains that she applied the debate to a lesson in her linguistics class as it relates to several concepts students learn about. “I do believe the debate about Taylor Swift’s new album title is relevant and important to academic discussions in an educational setting. I shared a news article about this debate with students in my linguistics class, as it is a perfect example of language use in real life. It also relates to linguistic concepts such as descriptivism and prescriptivism and form and meaning.” Zhang explains that the debate may have taken off so quickly due to our ideas about grammar and language. “There are two different approaches to language: descriptivism, which tends to describe or record language as it is used in real life, and prescriptivism, which tends to establish or enforce how language should be used.” “Prescriptivism focuses more on form or rule violations than descriptivism does. This debate relates to these concepts as one side cares more about rules (it’s wrong to miss the possessive -‘s, for instance), while the other side cares more about meaning (or Taylor’s intended meaning) and argues it’s her decision to make,” Zhang explains. Dr. Justin Mando, chair of the English and World Languages department at MU, emphasizes Zhang’s thoughts, explaining that there are several teaching opportunities from this debate. “We can discuss how grammatical choices reflect upon us as a person. Did Taylor get it wrong? How would that make us feel about her? Did she purposefully flaunt a rule to make a point? People often see unconventional grammar as an indication of a careless writer, so we need to be careful about the impression we make on our readers through such seemingly small marks on the page.” Mando also notes that the Writing Center sees many students who have trouble with grammar. “Students tend to think of grammar as law. They think there is one right way, and deviating from what’s accepted can get us in trouble. In fact, grammar has emerged through our patterns of use. Different people use grammar to achieve purposes that aren’t always aligned.” The debate took off shortly after the announcement creating a spike in the talk around the album and another debate into why the public was so interested in the topic. Dr. Stacey Irwin, a communication and theatre professor at MU, takes a media perspective noting that the debate was bound to happen due to Swift’s popularity. “Taylor Swift is so popular that any debate about anything she does is going to be all over social media. She is talented, professional and accomplished and has grown up in the media spotlight. Her demographic is also very social media savvy.” Overall, Mando explains that he understands the decision to exclude the apostrophe from the title from a writer’s standpoint. “I ran through the three options she had (poet’s, poets’, or poets), and felt that I understood her choice to name the department for the people who belong to it rather than to emphasize the poets’ ownership of the department. I also think that it visually looks better in an album title to go without the apostrophe. Even writers have to consider the visual aspects of their craft.” Additionally, if you are interested in learning more about Swift’s connections to the academic world, make sure to check out MU’s English and World Language Department’s blog and Instagram account @ville.englishworldlanguage as they are posting connections to each “era” up until the Ap […] “Taylor Swift’s Impact on the Academic World”

An Evening with Local Filmmaker B. Harrison Smith on April 18th @ 7 PM in McComsey Myers Auditorium Find out more about Harrison: Website: Directing Reel: FANDOM: IMDb:

SGA proposes fall budget, petition to upgrade HVAC systems brought to light The Student Government Association meets every Thursday in the Student Memorial Center. PHOTO COURTESY OF MILLERSVILLE […]

Case Study: Lancaster County Wood Carvers In the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the Lancaster County Wood Carvers (LCWC) organization stands as a beacon for […]

2024 Annual Benchworks by Elentra Residential Student Survey Starting on Monday April 15, 2024, the Department of University Housing & Conference Services will have the annual Benchworks by Elentra […]

ENWL is in their Folklore and Evermore Eras With only a week left until the release of The Tortured Poets Department, the department of English and World Languages has […]

Accessible Scholarship + ConferencesThis week was the 10th anniversary of the Made in Millersville conference, an internal conference at MU aimed at celebrating […]

Honor’s Thesis Presentation: Innovative Research on Music Literacy in High School Choirs Kylie Calogero is a junior at Millersville University, double majoring in music education and vocal performance and minoring in […]

Five Interesting Things in Archives From Carl Van Vechten’s portraits to a bust of Edward Brooks and red glass globes from Old Main, Millersville University Archives and Special Collections department in McNairy Library has a lot to offer. The 8th floor of the McNairy Library is home to the Archives and Special Collections department, which collects and preserves historical items such as photos, books, memorabilia and records. These collections can be used for in-class instruction, personal research, and projects. Archival pieces allow visitors a deeper understanding of past time periods and our school’s history. Millersville students, staff and community members are able to request to see materials by appointment by submitting this form. Donations can be made by contacting the archives and special collections department at special.collections@millersville.edu. More information about the department and its endeavors can be found on their Facebook and Instagram. Collection of Carl Van Vechten Portraits Millersville is home to an extensive and unique collection of original portraits taken by photographer and writer Carl Van Vechten. After his death, Van Vechten’s estate was left to Millersville faculty member Bruce Kellner, who donated a sizeable number of materials over the course of 30 years. “It’s sort of a legacy of his dedication to the institution and his belief in using these materials that we have such a fantastic collection here for our students,” says university archivist and special collections librarian Dr. Frank Vitale. Van Vechten’s portraits capture the Harlem Renaissance, a point in time defined by the blossoming of African American culture in terms of creative arts in Harlem, New York. A photograph within this collection will be on loan to the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery from April 26 to Feb 23, 2025, in Washington, DC, for the exhibition “Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris, 1900-1939.” After this, it will travel to other museums for the remainder of 2025. The exhibition will showcase African American female artists who traveled to Paris seeking more rights and artistic freedoms there than they had in the United States at that time. The particular image of Nora Holt, a prominent African American musician of the time period, could not be found in other collections held by institutions such as the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library and Yale University. “It gives us the opportunity as a university to share some of the fantastic things in our collections,” says Vitale regarding the benefits of Millersville loaning materials. Bust of Edward Brooks Edward Brooks was one of the first faculty members of what is now Millersville University, previously the Lancaster County Normal School. He began his time at Millersville as a mathematics professor in 1855 before serving as president of the college from 1866 to 1883. After his resignation, he dedicated his time to the public school movement in Pennsylvania. This sculpture was cast in 1910 by Clyde Bathurst, shortly before Brooks’ death in 1912. Vitale says it most likely would have been on display in the library, now the Biemesderfer Executive Center, or Old Main, a previously demolished building. In 1938, Brooks Hall was built in commemoration of Millersville’s past president. It was in use until 2017 and will be undergoing renovations to become Lombardo Hall, home of the Lombardo College of Business. “It’s kind of an interesting connection between the University’s roots and its role in public education, tied into what the University is doing here in the 21st century to continue to further that public education,” says Vitale. Red Glass Globes from Old Main Old Main was the first building built on the plot of land that is now Millersville University. It stood where the McNairy Library stands today. It was ultimately demolished due to its state of disrepair and safety concerns. Built by a group of private citizens in the 1850s, the building was later taken over by the state, per the builders’ request, to become the first Normal School in Pennsylvania. “Normal Schools” refers to colleges that practice standardized ways of teaching public school teachers. These red glass globes were positioned around exits of the building, acting as exit signs do today. Some are basic red glass, while some have lettering. “One of the examples that we have has the word ‘stairs’ etched in it because it would have been placed on the 2nd floor so that you knew you could climb down to get out of the building from there,” says Vitale. Old Main was expanded several times and served many purposes throughout its existence. Classrooms, dormitories and small offices all had homes in the building. “It served initially as a dorm space and faculty space,” says Vitale. Faculty members and administrators would even live in the building with students.” “Martyr’s Mirror” Book “Martyr’s Mirror” is a religious text from the Mennonite and Anabaptist Christian communities about nonviolent martyrs. “The particular volume that we have is the first English translation that was published,” says Vitale. The book was published in Lancaster County and was donated by a Millersville student by the name of A. CP. Frick in June 1857. This is monumental because that is only two years after the institution was founded and is the earliest documented donation. At the time of the donation, the institution was home to two main student groups: the Normal Literary Society and the Page Literary Society. “Before the institution had a single university library that everybody could use, these two societies maintained their own libraries,” says Vitale. Among the first pages of the book is a handwritten note that indicates the donation was to the Normal Literary Society library. Psychological Testing Materials These psychological testing materials depict the ever-changing standards of healthcare. “These are not something you might use today, but they tell you a little bit about what psychology and psychological testing was like in the late 20th century,” says Vitale. These kits contain tests, activities and paperwork used to diagnose and determine psychological health. These testing kits were donated by Moya Kinnealey, a retired psychologist and community member who previously had no connection with Millersville. “This is a great example of somebody who’s not even associated with Millersville, who thought that it would be really valuable and helpful for our instruction and research,” says Vitale. Although unrelated to the University’s history, having items like these in the archives is beneficial. “They tell us about that period of time,” sa […] “Five Interesting Things in Archives”

Faculty/Staff Activities H […] “Faculty/Staff Activities”

Alumna Named Newest Eckert Honoree Starting in 2015, the Susan C. and Gerald C. Eckert Service and Philanthropy Endowment Award has been given to a recipient to encourage others in philanthropic support and recognize a commitment of service to Millersville University. This year’s recipient, Karen Ashkar Murley ’63, was honored with an award ceremony on April 9 at the Eckert Art Gallery that celebrated her decades of support to scholarships, academic programs and more at Millersville. As a part of the recognition, Murley will choose a University program to receive the annual spendable income from the endowment. The endowment award is selected based on exemplary service and philanthropy in advancing the mission of public higher education. Innovative ideas or practices assisting public higher education are considered as a part of the selection criteria. Murley is a member of Millersville’s exclusive Fiat Lux Society which honors the contributions of donors whose gifts and pledges total $1 million or more. “I am honored, and still in awe, to have been chosen as this year’s recipient of the award. Thank you to Susan and Jerry for their forward thinking in recognizing and supporting so generously the very necessary habit of giving to support Millersville University’s mission and its students,” shares Murley. “My thanks to the advancement staff who continue to cordially and inventively guide my contributions in a variety of ways for meaningful results. It has been my pleasure, frequently, to see and to learn from the positive outcomes of investing in our students – our future.” About the Eckert Art Gallery The Eckert Art Gallery was opened in 2012 with the mission to present diverse, dynamic and meaningful visual art experiences that inspire learners to grow intellectually and personally. Today, it is the University’s main exhibition space and seeks to feature nationally and internationally recognized artists to infuse the local and regional art community with new perspectives and exceptional […] “Alumna Named Newest Eckert Honoree”

Top 6 Latest Trends and Innovations in Event Design & Delivery In the event planning, design, and delivery industry, keeping aware of the latest trends and innovations is important to ensure […]

“Dr. Will in the Ville” is On Air Dr. Mary Beth Williams, vice president of student affairs, is immersing herself in the student experience by hosting her own college radio show.   The show, “Dr. Will in the Ville,” is live on air every Monday from 12-1 p.m. on WIXQ 91.7 FM. Listeners can also tune in online. With a focus on blues, Williams is sharing her passion for music and love for public radio.   The show features both classic and new songs and artists in an attempt to share Williams’ passion with an audience that may not be familiar with blues. This includes traditional blues artists like Son House, Buddy Guy and Lightnin’ Hopkins, alongside current artists like Samantha Fish and Shemekia Copeland. “I don’t know that anyone in South-Central Pennsylvania is paying attention to some of the amazing blues artists today,” says Williams.  Williams says she finds inspiration for her weekly shows through something that has happened to her recently or conversations with others. “It depends on the conversations that I have throughout the week with people who’ve listened to the show,” she says. “Then I build it throughout the week based on a theme.”   Williams was surrounded by music from a young age by having a family full of musicians. Growing up in the south, there was an emphasis on religious gospel music. “I don’t remember a time in my life when there wasn’t some sort of gospel music being played in the house,” says Williams. When she moved to Memphis and began college, Williams discovered her love of blues, drawn to the honesty and rawness that emits from it. “It’s a genre that I’ve always connected with because it’s so real,” she says. “It’s so passionate.”   This isn’t Williams’ first experience hosting a college radio show. While working on her Ph.D, Williams was a radio show host at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she worked. “It was just a really great experience,” says Williams. Although, her experience so far with WIXQ has been different than that of her previous show. “WIXQ really allows their DJs to show their personalities through their shows,” she says. Her previous station was more rigid with their expectations of DJs and shows. “We can have a name if we want, we can have a theme, we can talk,” says Williams regarding WIXQ.   Williams hopes to continue her show throughout the summer but otherwise is prepared to carry it on during the spring and fall semesters moving forward. “So long as WIXQ will let me be a DJ, I will be one,” she says. Williams regards hosting a radio show as an outlet for her personal passions of work and likes that college radio allows students the same. “I really love college radio because I think it allows students, who may not go into any kind of music career, to find a passion like me,” she says.   More information about WIXQ can be found here. More information about “Dr. Will in the Ville” and Williams’ other endeavors at Millersville can be found on her I […] ““Dr. Will in the Ville” is On Air”

Nanga Lin Accepted into the Manhattan School of Music, Graduate  Piano Performance Program Nanga’s love for music began at a young age when she started piano lessons with her mother in her hometown of Shantou, China. By the […]

Recap and Reflections – Faculty Focus: Research Talk On Monday April 1st, the Millersville Department of English and World Languages hosted our second talk in our ongoing series “Faculty F […]

ENWL Reputation and Lover Eras The department of English and World Languages has shifted from into its Reputation and Lover eras in continuation with the […]

SGA Leaders Announced The […] “SGA Leaders Announced”

Writing Center Update!Hello, Marauders! With this busy time of the semester, we’d like to let you know about our new hours. We will be open Monday t […]