Lindsay Hansard to Study Literary Modernism at Newberry Library
McKendree Honor Student is Selected for Prestigious Seminar This Fall
Lebanon, Ill. — McKendree University senior honors student Lindsay Hansard, of Belleville,
will spend the fall semester immersed in the study of literary modernism in the Midwest
at one of the country’s premier libraries. The English and philosophy double major
will take part in the Newberry Library Research Seminar in Chicago, a highly selective
annual program for undergraduates. Students live, work and conduct independent research
in the humanities at the library, essentially as scholars in residence.
“I am truly excited to conduct research on the primary documents, texts and maps that
the Newberry Library has to offer,” Hansard said. “My research will be on the development
of literary modernism in the Midwest, and more specifically, Chicago. The Newberry
has extensive holdings on Midwestern modernists—Sherwood Anderson, for instance, and
some in Hemingway—and I am excited to explore these holdings and develop my research
over the course of the semester.
“Although New York, Paris and London often get much of the credit for modernism, I
will argue that the Midwest offered a unique and essential contribution to the development
of modernism as a literary, philosophical, and social movement.”
Students selected for the program must demonstrate that they have the skills and discipline
required to produce an independent, comprehensive research project in one semester.
Hansard’s project will culminate in a 60 to 70-page paper with a digital component.
“The Newberry Library is one of the most respected and esteemed research libraries
in the world. This is a wonderful opportunity and will prepare her exceptionally well
for the primary document research she will do in graduate school,” said Dr. Martha
Patterson, professor of English and coordinator of prestigious scholarships and fellowships
at McKendree.
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