Young Harris College students present at medieval renaissance conference

by Steve Esser

Young Harris, GA (10/17/2025) — Students representing Young Harris College presented at the 37th University of Virginia-Wise Medieval Renaissance Conference, recently, speaking on a variety of research topics related to medieval and Renaissance periods.

Five students spoke at the academic conference in Wise, VA. Academic conferences are public gatherings of scholars based on disciplines - or fields of study - and often are a ground level for research scholarships.

"This event was significant because it gave our Young Harris students an opportunity to present on some facet of research that they are working on," said Dr. Daniel Helbert, an assistant professor of English at Young Harris College. Helbert arranged and organized the trip for the students. "This, then, enables further conversation, networking, and ultimately publication of their research."

The students - Andrew Cowan, Haley Kelley, Megan Cothren, Will Fuller, and Isabella Rey - presented essays on medieval and Early Modern literature. Olivia Alvarez also attended the conference, but did not deliver a paper.

The presentations were:

Andrew Cowan: "T.H. White's Pacifism: How The Once and Future King Approaches Chivalric Violence in the Context of Arthurian Mythos."
Haley Kelley: " 'Darling, I Would Do It Again': Hozier's Francesca as a Reinvention of Dante's Inferno Canto V."
Megan Cothren: "Nature's Purpose in Chaucer's Works"
Will Fuller: "Making the Next Arthur: Geoffrey of Monmouth's Contemporary Contexts and Influence."
Isabella Rey: "Faeries in Medieval and Modern Contexts"

"It was an amazing experience," Haley Kelley, said. "As someone who hasn't dabbled in Medieval Literature much, I learned so much about just how vast the subject area is. I had an amazing time talking to scholars who were as interested in my paper as I was! I had a great time making connections and talking with scholars about graduate school opportunities. This experience has helped me learn more about what my future holds, and what I need to do to get there."

Megan Cothren agreed: "UVA Wise is a wonderful experience for anyone wanting to further their knowledge of the medieval Renaissance period. Being able to surround yourself with others with the same interests creates a welcoming environment for one to be able to share their thoughts and gain new ideas. There is so much new information being brought to your attention which creates an awesome environment to jot down ideas and ask questions. Personally, this experience helped me get a greater grasp on several concepts, such as how windows and architecture were used and the symbolism behind their usage. It is also a great way for those working on their own projects to be able to speak to other scholars about their thoughts and intersecting research."

The UVA conference is an annual conference that is based around a particular time period that many people research in - the medieval and Renaissance periods. The event is also interdisciplinary, meaning there were other English scholars as well as historians, art historians, and music historians. Conferences like this are often at the graduate level or higher, meaning the participants either have or are pursuing a graduate degree in the field.

"However, the UVA Wise Renaissance conference has a healthy undergraduate program every year as well. That's what our YHC students were presenting and why it was such a great opportunity," Helbert said. "All the presentations were very well received by the academic community, and these young scholars represented Young Harris College very well."

The conference wasn't all work, though, as the group was able to take a post-conference excursion - a float trip on the Clinch River in Scott County, VA.

About Young Harris College

Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master's degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College offers 34 majors and 23 minors, ranging from Biology or Outdoor Studies to Business Administration or Kinesiology. Approximately 1,300 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the Conference Carolinas. For more information, visit yhc.edu.