English

English Major and Minor

Students major in English because they understand the power of language to reflect and to shape human experience. As readers, they become good analysts of style and content, character and theme, and they develop their own responses to whatever they read—whether they are reading Shakespeare’s Othello or a corporate annual report. As writers, they become masters of the principal tool of thought—language—sometimes becoming published writers before they graduate. This mastery of the written word—both as a critical and insightful reader and as an adept and creative writer—provides an excellent foundation for a wide range of professions and for a fulfilling life of continued learning.

of English majors are employed or in grad school within 6 months of graduation

of those who graduate, do so in 4 years or less

Meet the Faculty

Why choose the English program at Lyon College?

The English major at Lyon College has an unparalleled focus on our students' writing, which historically has set our graduates apart from their peers when they continue their studies in law school and in graduate school. The major also offers a unique focus on world literature, not only exposing students to a wide range of literary traditions, but also preparing them to confront the challenges of globalization.

Faculty members: Martha Heasley Cox Chair in American Literature Dr. Terrell Tebbetts; Professor of English Dr. Wesley Beal; Assistant Professor of English Dr. Melissa Merte; Director of Development English Rebecca Sharp

Ways To Get Involved

English majors use their skills in several organizations across camps, including Social Council, Honor Council, the Student Government Association, and Lyon College’s newspaper The Highlander. Majors also work in the Morrow Academic Center as supplemental instructors and writing tutors.

After meeting certain course and GPA requirements, English majors are invited to join the honor society Sigma Tau Delta, which is in charge of the College’s literary magazine The Wheelbarrow. Sigma Tau Delta majors are responsible for curating content, judging entries, and editing the magazine.

Student Spotlight

“Lyon professors are tough on you and give you so much feedback because they want to prepare you for grad school. I’m thankful I went to Lyon.” - Cara Tomlinson Butler, scored top score on Arkansas Bar Exam in 2019

Interesting Places

Employers of recent Lyon College EnglishGraduates include:

Buzzfeed, author of memoir/movie Boy Erased, Camp Founder Girls, the Citizens Bank, Timex, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Southeastern Missouri State University Center for Faulkner Studies, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Clinton Foundation Presidential Class, JET Program USA, City Year

Additionally, Lyon College EnglishGraduates move on to prestigious graduate schools including:

Harvard Law, University of Cincinnati College of Law, Auburn University, Yale School of Law, Iowa State University, University of Arkansas Law School, and University of at Little Rock School of Law

For more information on the required courses for an Englishmajoror minor, view our courses page.

Careers for English Majors

Any field that requires good writing and analyzing skills welcomes Lyon’s English majors. Some careers that Lyon English majors go on to have include: