Events
Each fall and spring, SoAL hosts a variety of cultural and scholarly events, including art exhibitions, musical and theatre performances, film screenings, panel discussions, special presentations by artists and scholars, an annual Arts Festival, and two annual conferences (for students and for faculty).
Please use the form linked below to submit events to be added to SoAL's calendar.
SoAL Calendar
| Wednesday, August 19, 2026 |
SoAL Welcome Bash - Cones and Canvas (Macon)
Time: 1:30pm-4:00pm We are having a welcome event for all SoAL students. We will have a painting activity and snow cones! Come and meet your new classmates and professors.
Contact: Christina Sullivan |
| Wednesday, August 19 & 21, 2026 |
The Belle of Amherst
Time: 7:00pm Theatre at MGA on the Cochran Campus presents "The Belle of Amherst" by William Luce, a captivating one-woman play about the life of legendary American poet Emily Dickinson. The production features Dr. Mary Christian, associate professor of English, performing in the title role and is directed by Dr. John Iverson, theater instructor.
 This should be a compelling evening of live theater celebrating Dickinson's brilliant and enigmatic life. Free & open to the public!Contact: Dr. John Iverson |
| Thursday, August 20, 2026 |
ESO Bring Your Own Book: Children's Edition
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm Bring or just tell us about your favorite children's book. This event allows us to share good reads, and for this first edition of the bring your own book, we'll be focusing on children's books. Get book recommendations and spend time with others discussing your favorites.
Contact: Dr. Shane Trayers |
| Thursday, August 20, 2026 |
SoAL Welcome Bash - Cones and Canvas (Cochran)
Time: 1:30pm-4:00pm We are having a welcome event for all SoAL students. We will have a painting activity and snow cones! Come and meet your new classmates and professors.
Contact: Christina Sullivan |
| Wednesday, August 26, 2026 |
ESO Book Discussion: Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Time: 2:00pm-2:30pm ESO Book Club begins this semester with a discussion of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. You do not have to have read the book or watched the film/TV show to come and be part of our discussion. All are welcome!
Contact: Dr. Shane Trayers |
| Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
Self-Care and Wellness Workshop
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm An Academic Coach will talk about some general self-care strategies for students. Students are encouraged to ask questions that they may have during and after the event, and give their feedback.
Contact: Connor Vizzini
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| Tuesday, September 15, 2026 |
Grammarpalooza
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm The Writing Center's regular semester writing refresher will review common student writing issues while awarding drawing prizes and generously distributing candy.
Contact: Dr. Sharon Colley |
| Thursday, September 17, 2026 |
ESO Club Meeting
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm ESO members will meet to discuss and plan for future events.
Contact: Dr. Shane Trayers |
| Friday, September 25, 2026 |
ESO Writing Marathon
Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm Natalie Goldberg conceptualized the “Writing Marathon” in Writing Down the Bones: "Everyone in the group agrees to commit himself or herself for the full time. Then we make up a schedule. For example, a ten-minute writing session, another ten minute session, a fifteen minute session, two twenty minute sessions, and then we finish with a half-hour round of writing. So for the first session we all write for ten minutes and then go around the room and read what we’ve written with no comments by anyone. . . A pause naturally happens after each reader, but we do not say ‘That was great’ or even ‘I know what you mean.’ There is no good or bad, no praise or criticism. We read what we have written and go on to the next person. People are allowed to pass and not read twice during the marathon. Naturally there should be some flexibility. If someone feels the need to pass more often or less often, that is fine. What usually happens is you stop thinking: you write; you become less and less self-conscious. Everyone is in the same boat, and because no comments are made, you feel freer and freer to write anything you want."
Contact: Dr. Shane Trayers |
| Monday, September 28, 2026 |
ESO Book Discussion: V. E. Schwab's Vicious
Time: 12:30pm-1:00pm Join us for a book discussion of V. E. Schwab's Vicious. Wikipedia describes it as, "Vicious is the first novel in the Villains Trilogy by American author V. E. Schwab. Published by Tor Books in 2013, Vicious follows two college roommates who learn how to create superhuman abilities but later become archenemies". You do not need to read the book to come join us for this discussion. All are welcome!
Contact: Dr. Shane Trayers |
| Thursday, October 1, 2026 |
ESO Club Meeting
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm ESO members will meet to discuss and plan for future events.
Contact: Dr. Shane Trayers |
| Tuesday, October 13, 2026 |
Bring Your Own Book: Scary Edition
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm Come share one of your favorite scary books with everyone. You do not need to have a physical copy of the book to participate in our bring your own book event. You will get great recommendations for things to read as well.
Contact: Dr. Shane Trayers |
| Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |
Foolish
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm The Foolish Essay gives students the chance to glow-up a "foolishly" written essay for candy and drawing prizes! (Think Grammarpalooza for development.)
Contact: Dr. Sharon Colley |
| Thursday, October 22, 2026 |
ESO Annual Mystery Theater: Fundraiser for Macon Periods Easier
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm Each year, ESO puts on a student written, student directed, student "acted", one night only play that raises money for a charity. This year, we are raising money for Macon Periods Easier. To "purchase" a ticket, go to https://www.maconperiodseasier.com/ and click the donate button. Show us at the door that you have donated at least $5, and you will receive a ticket for the show. Macon Periods Easier is "a local nonprofit dedicated to addressing period poverty in Middle Georgia. We believe access to menstrual products is a basic human need, not a luxury. By providing free period supplies and education, we work to ensure dignity, health, and equity for all who menstruate in our community."
Contact: Dr. Shane Trayers |
| Thursday, November 5, 2026 |
ESO Club Meeting
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm ESO members will meet to discuss and plan for future events.
Contact: Dr. Shane Trayers |
| Thursday, November 12, 2026 |
ESO Book Discussion: Joanna VanVeen's Blood on Her Tongue
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm Come join us for a book discussion about Joanna VanVeen's Blood on Her Tongue. You do not need to have read the book to join us. The book description is "The Netherlands, 1887. Lucy's twin sister Sarah is unwell. She refuses to eat, mumbles nonsensically, and is increasingly obsessed with a centuries-old corpse recently discovered on her husband's grand estate. The doctor has diagnosed her with temporary insanity caused by a fever of the brain. To protect her twin from a terrible fate in a lunatic asylum, Lucy must unravel the mystery surrounding her sister's condition, but it's clear her twin is hiding something. Then again, Lucy is harboring secrets of her own, too."
Contact: Dr. Shane Trayers |
