For 40th year at Weber State, students will display literary talent at annual conference
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University will provide students from across the nation the opportunity to present their literary work and hear from a world-famous author during the 40th Annual National Undergraduate Literature Conference April 3–5.
That Friday and Saturday, students will present their work in various genres, from poetry to digital literature and technical writing. 
This year’s guest author, Bret Anthony Johnston, will join an on-stage conversation Friday, April 4 from 10:30–11:30 a.m. in Elizabeth Hall Room 229.
Johnston presented at NULC years ago as an undergraduate student. Now, he’s an award-winning author who wrote the critically acclaimed national bestseller We Burn Daylight. His work has also appeared in magazines like The New Yorker and The Best American Short Stories.
“Not only does he have ties to the conference, but he’s making a significant impact in the literary world,” said Laura Stott, NULC co-director. “This shows students that, 20 years down the line, they could be on the other side of it too.”
Students with accepted submissions have until March 25 to register. Information on qualifications, registration and presentation schedules can be found on the NULC website.
NULC founder Mikel Vause, retired English professor at WSU, created the conference in 1985 to provide undergraduate students with the same opportunity he had to present while he was in college. It has become the nation’s longest-running undergraduate literary conference. This year marks the first time a student will attend virtually from overseas.
“Weber State is home to something so unique that isn’t available at many other institutions,” Stott said. “A huge part of what makes it so special is the community it fosters.”
Elizabeth Melendez, a WSU student presenting at the conference this year, said she’s excited for the event: “This is an amazing opportunity to shape the culture and society we interact with by sharing our research and creative works. It genuinely feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.
Student sessions and the onstage interview with Johnston are free and open to the public.
Chloee Robison, Marketing & Communications
- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu