This year, in order to obtain a larger membership and to attract more participation, the English Club has made many changes to its agenda. This includes various workshops, English inspired events and lectures from professors of Millikin’s English department.

“I think that English Club has a lot of potential, and a lot of people that want to learn,” said club president Brittany Mytnik. “Even though in the past English Club has been a place to meet and discuss literature, and to plan some events that are relevant to English, I think that there’s just more we can do. I was willing to step up and make that happen, if the members were willing, and this year they are. So if they’re motivated, it makes me motivated.”

To invoke more participation and interest, the English Club is offering a wide array of events and activities, accessible to both members and students interested in writing and literature.

These events included Banned Books Week; a week dedicated to spreading the awareness of frequently challenged literature, which included readings from passages of controversial books at Staley Library. Occurring on Oct. 29, the English Club will be sponsoring Poe in the Pit in the basement of Staley Library, which includes selected readings by Edgar Allen Poe, and other activities, including a tarot card reader.

In addition to many of these events, the English Club is hosting a wide variety lectures and workshops, open to all students. The first workshop will occur on Oct. 1 at the SPEC, where Dr. Braniger will lead the audience in a contemplation writing activity. Other lectures include Dr. O’Conner discussing Poe on Oct. 28, to kick off Poe in the Pit. Lastly, on Nov. 18, Dr. Kirchoff will be giving a lecture on graphic novels.

When asked about her main goal by making these various changes to the English Club, Mytnik said, “I want our chapter of Sigma Tau Delta and this English Club to be on par with other universities. I’ve looked online and I’ve seen what Sigma Tau Delta chapters across the country are capable are doing, and you know, why not us? We’ve got the interest, we’ve got the capability, we’re all smart; why not do something with that? Why not use this meeting time to learn more and have fun?”