Martin--

The Mark Twain Circle is an avowedly inclusive group.  The call for nominations that the MTC recently sent out, and that the Elmira CMTS generously offered to post on their website, says the following:

"We’re asking members to nominate anyone who you think would be interested in becoming a member – a friend, a colleague, a teacher, a student – anyone with an appreciation for Twain."

The language of the call matches your expectations.  

Now, the CMTS has made an independent decision  to sponsor 5 nominated graduate students. This generous gesture does not conflict with our goal of raising membership for anyone with an interest in Mark Twain.  Indeed, I'm personally grateful to the CMTS for recognizing that graduate students face economic challenges that may make even our discounted dues a burden.  

One of our objectives in this call is to attract the next generation of Twain enthusiasts.  I thank Joe Lemak, Matt Seybold, the board, and the staff of the CMTS for helping to bring the next generation of scholars into the Mark Twain Circle. 

Best, 

--LH

Larry Howe
Professor of English & Film Studies
Department of Literature and Languages
Roosevelt University
Vice-president, Mark Twain Circle of America




________________________________________
From: Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Martin Zehr <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2017 12:58 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: CMTS Sponsoring Circle Membership for Graduate Students

As a non-academic member of the Mark Twain Circle, I wish to register my
strong objection to the proposal for nomination of five graduate students
for membership.  One of the strengths of Mark Twain Studies through the
Circle, in my opinion, is the fact that, while, for obvious reasons, its
membership is primarily constituted of individuals with academic
affiliations, it is not an exclusive club in this respect.  This proposal
would implicitly endorse the misguided notion that only
academically-affiliated individuals should be considered as legitimate
candidates for membership.  It seems to me that Twain studies should be
open to anyone with a genuine interest, regardless of
vocational/educational background, and that membership, like Twain's works,
should be accessible to water and wine drinkers, regardless of academic
affiliation, or lack thereof.  The proposal seems to smack of an elitism
that should not be any part of Twain studies.  Period.

Martin Zehr
Kansas City, Missouri

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On Fri, Jun 23, 2017 at 10:44 AM, Matthew Seybold <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> In support of Larry=E2=80=99s call for new Mark Twain Circle members, =
> CMTS has agreed to sponsor up to five graduate students who are =
> nominated for membership through our website.
>
> =
> http://marktwainstudies.com/join-or-renew-your-membership-
> in-the-mark-twai=
> n-circle-of-america/ =
> <http://marktwainstudies.com/join-or-renew-your-membership-
> in-the-mark-twa=
> in-circle-of-america/>
>
> So, nominate your advisees, young scholars you=E2=80=99ve met at =
> conferences, your friends, or yourself (if you are a graduate student), =
> and CMTS will foot the bill for their first year of dues (again, up to =
> five students).=20
>
> While you=E2=80=99re at www.MarkTwainStudies.org =
> <http://www.marktwainstudies.org/>, take a look around the site.
> We=E2=80=99=
> ve recently expanded the virtual tour of Quarry Farm, added a tentative =
> schedule for the Quadrennial conference, and had posts from Susan K. =
> Harris, Hamada Kassam, Dwayne Eutsey, and Martin Zehr, whose review of =
> MARK TWAIN & EUROPE inaugurates a new partnership between MTF and CMTS =
> to co-publish the Forum=E2=80=99s reviews.=20
>
> Hope to see you all in August!
>
> - MS=20
>
> P.S. On that final note, I have rented a local =E2=80=9CAirBnB=E2=80=9D =
> for the conference weekend. There is still one room available. Each room =
> is spacious and well-appointed (sufficient for either a single or =
> couple), has its own private bathroom, and access to a full kitchen, =
> indoor and outdoor living spaces, etc. You can see the property at =
> www.judyshouseelmirany.com <http://www.judyshouseelmirany.com/>. Email =
> me if you are interested. The cost is slightly more than the dorms, but =
> much less than any of the local hotels.=20
>
> ***************
> Matt Seybold
> Assistant Professor of American Literature & Mark Twain Studies
> Elmira College
> (607) 735-1957
> [log in to unmask]
>