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Congratulations 2016 Graduates!
From left to right: Jordan Paramore, Elliot Winford, Jesse Chasser, Grant Gilliam, Olivia Land, Drake Terry, Justin Mainous, Elaine Everett, Sebastian Murdoch, Garrett Windham, Mary Heath
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Mississippi College Writing Center Newsletter
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Spring 2016, Issue no. 2
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Well, this is my "farewell" issue, and it's a bittersweet moment.Tutoring has been an experience that I find essential in life, and I know I'll use skills from the Writing Center throughout my lifetime. The Writing Center has helped me build confidence and the willingness to share my strengths with others. Also, I'm thankful that I've had an opportunity, along with Grant, to create the newsletter for two years now. It's weird to think we are graduating tutors because I felt like I just started working in the Writing Center. This issue calls for a celebration of our graduating seniors as they head off on new journeys, wherever that might be.
There is no way around it. This is a bittersweet editor's letter. I have loved every moment of being able to work with Elaine to produce the newsletter! Yet, it is bitter to leave because the Writing Center has meant so much to me. From the community that the center fosters to every student I have had the honor to serve, the Writing Center holds a dear place in my life. I have cherished my time passing through, and I hope you guys do, too, because it is truly something extraordinary to be a part of. May God bless and show His love and mercy towards all of you.
- Grant Gilliam
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Writing Center Open House
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Each semester, the Writing Center celebrates by having an Open House. The Writing Center community shares food, friendship, and fun. The Open House is a way for everyone to gather together before departing for the summer. From opening a new Writing Center to having over 40 tutors this school year, we had a lot to celebrate on April 28th!
 11 seniors were recognized and given a gift of a mug with each tutor's picture on it.
The mugs have become a Writing Center tradition!
Mary Heath is happy with her mug!
The Open House consists of conversations and Chick-fil-A.
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Tutors gather on the quad for the Open House.
Dr. Melancon, a friend of the Writing Center, is excited about the end of the semester!
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Mississippi College
Writing Center
1
st floor,
Leland Speed Library
Are you around MC this summer? If so, the Writing Center is the perfect place for you. Our reliable tutors can help you with documents from personal statements to resumes. If you aren't near campus, you can even make an appointment online. Whatever the case, the Writing Center is here for you this summer!
(June 6 - July 28)
Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 6 pm
To Make an Appointment
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Setting Up An Appointment Through WCOnline
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Stay Connected on Social Media
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| Advice from Our Graduating Tutors |
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The Spring semester is a time to celebrate our tutors and their success in the Writing Center. Eleven tutors graduated, but they will carry their tutoring skills throughout life. Each of our seniors had unique experiences in the Writing Center and different strategies to share. We asked them for some final words of advice:
There is no such thing as bad writing, just really rough drafts. Don't forget that you're just friends helping each other out, and learn from others as much as you're teaching.
- Jordan Paramore
I ask that you refrain from becoming stagnant in your tutoring. Approach every situation with the fiery passion displayed during your first session where you adamantly strove to forge stronger writers, not just better papers. This, I assure you, is most beneficial in preserving the fundamental ideology of the Writing Center!
- Elliot Winford
Knowing your fellow tutors is an important part of the Writing Center, and I wish I spent more time getting to know more of the tutors. And with the tutees, be open to learn from them.
- Jesse Chasser
Every session you have is the opportunity to help another human. It is a way to love your fellow man. Some may be disorganized or rushed. Perhaps a couple are worried or don't know where to start. The international students are so intelligent, but can be reduced to elementary English in trying to put their important thoughts into words. We have all been the students above: worried, rushed, and frustrated. Be a tutor who cares about the student and understands where they are coming from. The Writing Center is a tangible way to help someone, and I have been grateful for this experience.
- Grant Gilliam
Be a friend to all, and you will find the number of your friends growing. When you think you can't keep going, in a tutoring session or in life, take one more step. Always be pushing yourself, and never become comfortable. Read "If" by Rudyard Kipling. And good luck in all your future endeavors!
- Drake Terry
There was a time when I thought that one person was nothing more than that - just a person. But, now I realize the truth - that in each and every one of us are worlds that are continuously growing and maturing. Every moment that I've spent in the Writing Center, whether it be in a session with a tutee or engaged in a conversation with one of you, has been a chance to see things through a different pair of eyes - to see new worlds. As I make my departure from the familiar soils of this Writing Center, I leave you with both an encouragement and an exhortation: there's a world waiting to be born under the feet of those who dare to dream of it; keep on dreaming.
- Justin Mainous
Intentionality is the key. Always remain invest
ed in each session, whether it is a session focusing on content ideas or grammar errors. Also, make the most of your experience in the Writing Center. Don't be afraid to ask other tutors for advice or inspiration. Everyone is a valuable resource with different strengths waiting to be discovered.
- Elaine Everett
Remember to focus on the process, not just the product. The steps you and your writer take to get to the final result are just as important as the grade they'll get when they're done.
- Sebastian Murdoch
The Writing Center has one of the silliest, most encouraging, and brightest communities on campus. Embrace it. Get to know your fellow tutors because they are the people that will make every day of work worth it, that will make the Writing Center a second home, and that will challenge you to be a better tutor, person, and friend.
- Mary Heath
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On
April 16th, the Mississippi Writing Centers Association hosted a conference at Mississippi State University, with the theme "A Writing Center State of Mind." Presenters included Dr. Rich Raymond, founder and director of the Mississippi State Writing Center, as well as Dr. Elizabeth H. Bouquet, director of the Writing Center at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. There were also breakout sessions led by directors and tutors from writing centers across the state.
Eight tutors from MC presented: Nolie Ramsey and Sara Kate Griffith with "Stop, Collaborate, and Listen: Creating Collaborative Social Media," Amy Freeman and Matt Ansley with "Politeness and Praise: Applying Motivation to a Writing Center Session," Chloe McCarthy and Olivia Land with "Actions Speak Louder than Words: Cultural Differences in Non-Verbal Communication," Andrew Rock with "Argumentoring: How Debate Strategies Can Help Tutors," and Elaine Everett with "What's in a Name? English and Traditional Name Preferences Among Chinese International Students at the Mississippi College Writing Center."
Throughout the presentations and conversations, everyone had an opportunity to learn from writing centers around the state. For instance, I took part in a session where Alice Myatt and Jeanine Rauch (University of Mississippi)
discussed the important role
their writing center plays with transfer students.
They shared resources for helping transfer students
make a smooth transition into the university, which helps us to think of creative ways to reach out to transfer students on our own campus. Tutors from our own Writing Center were also able to give insights into the ways in which we work with our large number of international students.
We learned from fellow tutors and writing center directors about the "writing center state of mind." What does that exactly mean? Dr. Bouquet, the keynote speaker, summed it up while discussing how the Writing Center has influenced her life as an international traveler: "I have left the Writing Center, but the Writing Center has never left me." In other words, the lessons we have learned and will continue to learn in the Writing Center are truly "the writing center state of mind."
- Justin Mainous
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MSWCA Conference:
"A Writing Center State of Mind"
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Thirteen tutors and faculty from the MC Writing Center traveled to Starkville, Mississippi, for the MSWCA conference.
Everyone received a "A Writing Center State of Mind"
conference folder.
Amy Freeman and Matt Ansley, both Psychology majors, presented on strategies for positivity and politeness in a Writing Center session. Dr. Price, Jesse Chasser, and a friend from Ole Miss gathered in the MSU "Dawg House." 
Olivia Land and Chloe McCarthy presented on cultural differences in non-verbal communication in writing centers. |
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