College of Graduate Studies Student Speaker
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 9, 2018
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Danielle Littlefield arrived at Tarleton determined to become an author. Then rhetoric happened.
Now the possessor of a master’s degree in English and a fresh career target, she will make the commencement address for the College of Graduate Studies on Friday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m.
“I want to become a tenured professor,” she said. “Before, I wanted to write short fiction and creative nonfiction, but as I got into the program I discovered I really enjoyed rhetoric and composition.”
She came to Stephenville from Northern California to help an ailing family member, but Danielle soon realized Tarleton was the ideal place to earn her master’s. Her graduate program even allowed her to teach first-year writing courses.
“I really fell in love with it,” she said.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech before taking on an advanced degree and the dreaded thesis.
“That was a whole different academic thing that I’d never encountered. It challenged me in so many ways, but I learned so much and I’m a much better writer and scholar because of it.”
A Distinguished Graduate, Danielle last March presented a chapter of her master’s thesis at a conference of college English teachers and won the Literature and Pedagogy Award.
The next step on her new career path begins quickly. She starts a Ph.D. program at Texas Woman’s University in the fall.
Her commencement speech emphasizes the concept of research.
“It’s about asking the big ‘so what?’ questions,” she said. “How does this research benefit us as scholars and the world? What’s the big deal of your life? What is your purpose and how does that benefit others?”
When she’s not working in the university’s writing center, Danielle is rehearsing her speech over and over in an effort to stave off the jitters, “practicing in front of a mirror, with my family and friends and anyone who will listen.”
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
#
Contact: Phil Riddle, News & Information Specialist
817-484-4415
[email protected]
