Executive Secretary’s Report – Andrew Marvell Society

By Joan Faust

The New Year 2014 finds the Marvell Society anticipating another prolific and enjoyable showing at the upcoming South-Central Renaissance Conference, “Exploring the Renaissance 2014.” After the snowflakes of Omaha in 2013, the balmy breezes of Tucson should be a welcomed change, particularly for our northern scholars. We anticipate twenty-one Marvell papers in six full panels with the topics “Travel and Tutoring,” “Marvell and Translation,” “The Cromwellian Era,” “Restoration Marvell,” “Identity and Influence,” and a panel discussing “Eyes and Tears.” We are very happy to see the return of longtime participants in the Marvell sessions and especially welcome first-time presenters. In addition to the panel sessions, we are delighted to be hosting a Friday evening plenary session given by Professor Edward Jones of Oklahoma State University who will present on the State Papers of Marvell and Milton. We will continue the evening with our traditional Marvell Society dinner at a local establishment, location TBA. I will also consult with local host Meg Lota Brown as to what Tucson has to offer to compete with New Orleans Sazeracs.

The conference, set for 3-5 April 2014, will be held at the lovely Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa. Attendees are encouraged to make reservations by 3 March to receive the special conference rate of $119.00 single/double, or $129 triple/quad. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-722-2500 or through the Westward Look website. The SCRC Conference Registration is also available on the SCRC website. Note the registration form must be postmarked by March 20.

And a reminder to all Marvell presenters below the rank of associate professor: we encourage you to apply for the John M. Wallace award for the best paper on Andrew Marvell by an early career scholar presented at the conference. The award recognizes the signal contribution to Marvell studies of John M. Wallace (1928-93), Professor of English at the University of Chicago and author of the groundbreaking interdisciplinary work Destiny his Choice: The Loyalism of Andrew Marvell (1968). The award is open to graduate students, independent scholars, and faculty below the rank of associate professor (US, Canada) or equivalent (i.e. within the first five years of a permanent teaching appointment). Applicants should submit full papers to incoming Executive Secretary Emma Wilson ([email protected]) by 1 March 2014. The President of SCRC will present the award at the closing luncheon on Saturday 5 April. We hope to see you all in Tucson!

And finally, as I leave the position of Executive Secretary of the Andrew Marvell Society, I want to thank all of the wonderful Marvellians with whom I have been privileged to work these past years. You have enriched my life intellectually, professionally, and convivially. We are all very fortunate to have an excellent scholar and professional colleague like Emma Annette Wilson to take over the Executive Secretary position with enthusiasm and competency. And I look forward to continuing a treasured relationship with you all.

Respectfully,

JDF, January 2014
Southeastern Louisiana University