English literature and writing student Jessica Zisa represented Marylhurst University at the Northwest Undergraduate Conference on Literature (NUCL) in March 2012.

Students from English programs from all the major universities in Oregon and Washington were at the conference, held at the University of Portland. Jessica read a paper entitled The Representation of Feminine Power in Lanval and The Knight of the Cart, a paper she originally wrote for a class.

"Jessica's paper was smart and clearly presented—the result of her careful reading, hard work, revision and practice," said Meg Roland, chair of the Department of English Literature & Writing. "Her paper was very well-received and engendered a lively discussion afterward."

About

The Northwest Undergraduate Conference on Literature creates a professional atmosphere to promote student criticism and challenge student critics. NUCL gives undergraduate and advanced high school students an opportunity to present their own scholarly papers or creative works in organized panels of their peers. Students are able to share and discuss their knowledge through these presentations, and are encouraged to participate in the discussion of fellow NUCL papers. Aside from presenting their papers, and listening to papers written by their peers, students are invited to attend NUCL's keynote speakers, who are noted academics and writers in the field of literature.