Graduate Spotlight
Sara Van Ness
Degree: MA in English – English Literature Track
Graduation Date: January 2011
Hometown: Wall Township, NJ
Why I chose Monmouth University and what benefits the program has offered me:
My experience at Monmouth far exceeded my expectations during my time as an undergraduate student, making Monmouth a natural choice as the place to continue my graduate work. My professors over the course of my four years as an undergraduate and now a graduate student created and continue to foster an excellent environment for learning, continuously challenging me and pushing me to strive for my very best.
My academic interests:
I am most interested in studying the visual narrative, the history of the interaction between images and words in various works, and visual literacy. I always had a passion for reading and writing and for the visual arts; however, I never truly considered how I could integrate both of my passions into my scholarship. My specifically academic interest in and passion for visual narratives grew out of my undergraduate work here at Monmouth. During the summer after my sophomore year here at Monmouth (2006), I enrolled in an extensive independent study with Dr. Blair in the English Department. Watchmen, a graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, was actually added late in the independent study as a supplement to the Cold War literature upon Dr. Blair’s suggestion. That same evening, I bought my copy at the local bookstore, and like many readers, I read into the early hours of the morning. I was drawn into the text by the reality of the characters and setting, the action and suspense of the text, and the beautifully detailed images. What began as recommended reading material became the focus of my undergraduate thesis, some of my graduate course work, and eventually, a book-length study. I can honestly say with one hundred percent assurance that without Dr. Blair’s continued and tireless support, I would never have published a book.
Shortly after I graduated in May of 2008, Dr. Blair encouraged me to submit a query letter to McFarland to see if they would be interested in a book-length study on Watchmen, which as you know was gaining tremendous hype with the upcoming release of the Watchmen movie in March 2009. He believed in me and my work even when I was doubtful that a publisher would accept it. I would never have thought that at the age of 23, I would have my first book in publication, and I truly believe that it would not have been possible without Dr. Blair’s guidance. He believed in me and my work even when I was doubtful that a publisher would accept it. My book, Watchmen as Literature: A Critical Study of the Graphic Novel, was released earlier this month.
My accomplishments and my future after Monmouth University:
My greatest accomplishment is certainly the publication of my book, which I would never have been able to do without Dr. Blair’s guidance and encouragement or without the support of my family and friends. I anticipate on graduating with my MA in English in Fall 2010, and then applying for PhD programs with the goal of one day teaching on the college level. Please see below for additional information on presentations and awards:
Invited and Professional Presentations at Monmouth University:
“Gifted and Talented: Understanding the Needs of These Special Students, Grades 6-12,” Monmouth University School of Education Literacy Symposium (Oct. 23, 2009)
“Finessing the Difficult Tutoring Session: The Importance of Interpersonal Skills,” Monmouth University Writing Center New Tutor Orientation (Sept. 12, 2009)
Roundtable: Writing and Publishing, Monmouth University Graduate English Symposium (May 5, 2009)
“Watchmen and Literature,” The Monmouth Review’s Writers’ Roundtable Series (March 25, 2009)
“Hooded Honor: Heroism in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's Watchmen,” Monmouth University Graduate English Symposium (Dec. 5, 2008)
“Exploring New Media: The Graphic Novel in Middle and High School Classrooms,” Monmouth University School of Education Literacy Symposium (Oct. 24, 2008)
“The Mask of Heroism: An Analysis of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's Watchmen,” Monmouth University Honors School Research Conference (April 19, 2008)
Honors or awards received:
Monmouth University
Student Government Association Award: Highest GPA of the Graduating Class (4.0) (May 2008)
2008 New Jersey Distinguished Student Teacher Award (April 2008)
Jane Freed Grant-In-Aid-of-Creativity (April 2008)
English Department Award for Graduate Study (April 2008)
Outstanding Undergraduate Student – Bachelor of Arts in Education (April 2008)
Graduated with English Honors, English Department (May 2008)
Dean's Award of Excellence, Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences (May 2007)
English Merit Award, English Department (May 2007)
Induction into Kappa Delta Pi – Education Honor Society (May 2007)
Induction into Sigma Tau Delta – English Honor Society (May 2006)
Induction into Lambda Sigma Tau – Academic Honor Society (Jan. 2006)
Induction into Phi Eta Sigma – Freshman Honor Society (Oct. 2005)
Honors School
Graduated with Honors (May 2008)
Award for Highest GPA 4.0 (May 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Award for Best Creative and Academic Project (May 2006)
Award for Excellence in Academic Writing (May 2005)
Award for Best Creative and Academic Project (May 2005)
Community:
Datatel Scholars Foundation Scholarship (May 2007)
Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (May 2007)
Datatel Scholars Foundation Scholarship (May 2006)
Volunteer Appreciation Award, Monmouth County Park System (March 2006)
All American Scholars Award (Dec. 2006)
