NSU to host 2025 Southwest Conference on Christianity and Literature

Tahlequah, Okla. – Northeastern State University will welcome scholars, writers and students from across the region this fall as it hosts the Southwest Conference on Christianity and Literature annual regional meeting, Oct. 24–25, 2025, at the Tahlequah campus.

This year’s theme, “Anger in Literature,” will spark conversations about how negative emotions, particularly anger, shape stories, communities and faith traditions. Organizers note that anger is rarely addressed directly in literature, yet it plays a critical role in narrative and interpretation.

“Anger is one of the emotions that people really don't talk about as much as they probably should,” Dr. Flavin, Chair of NSU’s Department of Language and Literature, said. “It’s everywhere in literature and this conference opens a space to discuss it through new and thought-provoking perspectives.”

The conference opens on Oct. 24, with creative writing presentations in Wilson Hall, home of NSU’s College of Liberal Arts. Poetry and prose written by student and faculty will be featured, followed by a keynote from Dr. Ben Myers of Oklahoma Baptist University, this year’s Creative Writing Visiting Writer.

On Oct. 25, the focus turns to academic scholarship with panels examining topics such as anger in Christian literature, the emotional dimensions of interpretation and cultural perceptions of righteous anger. The day will conclude with the conference’s primary keynote address, offering fresh insight into the intersections of faith, emotion and literature.

“At NSU, we are proud to provide a forum where scholars and students can come together to explore ideas from many perspectives,” NSU President Rodney Hanley said. “Conferences like this highlight the value of literature as a lens for understanding human experience and encourage thoughtful dialogue across disciplines and traditions.”

Registration is $65 for faculty and $30 for students. For more information or to register, visit https://academics.nsuok.edu/continuingeducation/Conferences/swccl_conference.aspx or call at 918-444-3650.

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