Testimonials
Beverley Finney ’68
Read Beverley Finney’s essay “Why Major (or Minor) in English?”
Tom Willingham ’71
“I would say that my English major at MHC is the very backbone of my professional training and career. I loved studying linguistics and semantics there with Dr. Schubert, and language is so much at the heart of what I do both theologically and psychologically. The act of naming, defining, or describing one's experience has everything to do with its meaning and that has profound theological and psychological implications. A lot of what I do as a psychotherapist involves assisting people as they articulate the experiences that have shaped their being who they are, and having done so, help them realize that there are other ways to see things--more options, more choices toward creative self-actualization. I also enjoy writing sermons and preaching about once/month. What would I say to students about majoring or minoring in English? Language and communication are basic to our success both interpersonally and professionally. If we can communicate effectively, we can be more successful in whatever we undertake.”
Ed Sams ’74
“I never encourage students to become English majors; instead, I always appeal to their vanity. English majors, I have found, know what they want and know who they are.”
Carla Bunn Isaacs ’77
“I would encourage students to consider English as a major/minor for a variety of reasons: first, reading and studying literature reveals human nature and the ways we consider who we are as people; second, reading opens the world to our views about what we as people do; third, we broaden our abilities to think more deeply about questions and situations, not just jumping to shallow conclusions; and finally, English can take college graduates to a number of professions, not just teaching or writing.”
Ellen Peterson Beck ’79
“My advice to English majors/minors is that it really is true that businesses like to hire English majors. The insurance industry is willing to train people who can write. Of course, the newspaper didn't hesitate to hire me either.”
Wayne King ’79
“To students, I suggest working as hard as possible on those writing and proofreading skills. I write constantly, and I am the final proofreader of our president’s letters.”
Phyllis Sledge Stiles ’79
“People often tease about career prospects for English majors, but exploring literature opens the mind to the way other people and cultures think and analyzing writing and communication styles teaches the craft of expressing both one’s own and others’ thoughts. English majors unite!”
“I count myself very blessed to have spent time among the nurturing college community that is Mars Hill. I appreciate the examples of ‘passion for the subject matter’ balanced with ‘compassion for the learner’ that were modeled for me in those formative years.”
Jan K. Ertzberger ’87
“A Mars Hill education: about $66,000. The cost of English textbooks: about $2,000. MHC English professors teaching how to communicate effectively with the written and spoken word: priceless!”
Roy McGinnis ’87
“I believe there has never been a better time than now to major in English. In a culture that is increasingly media hungry, yet lacking in strong writing skills, English majors have the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial careers as freelance writers or to pursue teaching careers in a field that is looking for creative, hard-working teachers. The key to success is to pursue excellence rather than to just follow the status quo and to continue learning by attending graduate studies.”
Donald Lourcey ’89
“Attending Mars Hill and graduating with a BA in English was one of the best decisions I have made. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have to the professors at Mars Hill, most specifically the English Department. Their training, tutelage, and encouragement made me the English teacher I am. I will never forget the time that I was sitting in a Milton class in graduate school and my professor at the time asked many thought-provoking questions and I answered them with clarity and accuracy. One of my classmates asked how I knew so much about Milton and this time period. I remember clearly saying, ‘I had great teachers at Mars Hill, most especially Noel Kinnamon.’ Granted, the depth of our knowledge grows as we progress through the profession—daily poring over the literature and making relevant connections for our students—but my foundation began at the ‘Hill.’ I will never take that experience for granted.”
Michelle Harrison Lourcey ’90
“Majoring in English is a smart move for any student. The English major provides foundations for so many occupations; English majors do not have to teach. Many employers want individuals who can write well and think analytically. Of course, majoring in English at Mars Hill College is an honor. There is much prestige in earning a BA in English from this fine institution.”
Vickie Howell Smith ’90
“English is about learning to think and express oneself clearly.”
Suzann Moffitt Ledford ’91
“In my classes I emphasize that literature is a framework for how we see the world, and discussing lit is really discussing our lives—and it is a great self-awareness tool because how we respond to something, including literature, says more about us than it does about what we're responding to. And it's fun! What more could you want in a major?”
Jennifer Nichols Moore ’91
“Though I never encourage anyone to become an attorney, particularly women, if for some reason a student can only come into an inheritance of billions after obtaining a law degree, then a degree in English is a great foundation for law school. It's extremely hard to be a mom and an attorney—impossible, really, if you don't have a lot of support and the right position.”
Amanda Frazier Hobbs ’97
“Although I no longer get to teach English, I believe my study of literature and the English language equipped me to think critically and communicate effectively in my current role.“
Teresa Reep Tysinger ’02
“My encouragement to current English majors/minors would be to get creative with your career aspirations. A degree in English is far more valuable and applicable than many tend to think. (We’ve all heard ‘What exactly do you do with an English degree?’) I did not imagine working at a church in the capacity in which I find myself employed, but am thankful for my English background in helping my success. My only other words of ‘wisdom’ would be to attend graduate school soon after graduating from MHC. It’s amazing how quickly some of what you read magically drops from your cognitive memory.”
Blaise Shaw Hartman ’04
“I would encourage all students to take more than required English courses. All the employers I have worked with chose me for my English background.”
Emma Cagle ’06
“I would encourage anyone I know at least to minor in English because, as I have learned very quickly, no matter what field you find yourself in, good communication skills are essential to a successful career!”
“I would say that the study of language will always be valuable and that it's a wonderful major or minor to have in college. In a practical sense, having good communication skills is an asset that employers look for in the hiring process, and this field perfects these skills for students. For those students who are dreamers like me, the field of English is at once challenging and imaginative and provides them with the opportunity to experience not only the great works of literature, but also allows them the chance to create original writing of their own. There is nothing more rewarding than the creative process coupled with the wealth of knowledge one will get from this area of study.”
Jill Sharp ’07
“My English degree has helped me even at the Arboretum, where language skills are important to my tours. English is, I believe, one of the most versatile majors because all employers want someone who can communicate to work for them. Anyone can learn the rest (i.e., botanical names: yikes!).”