WKU News

On March 10, St. Louis, Miss., junior Literature major Delaney O’Neill organized a Women’s History Month discussion panel alongside her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta. The discussion featured many of WKU’s women professors, including Dr. Angela Jones, Professor Charlotte Elder, and Professor Crystal Bolhander.

“I really wanted to help girls in our chapter and other members on campus to understand what it's like to be a female in the workforce, and how to feel confident in career fields that are mostly male,” O’Neill said.

Now a Literature major, had planned to study English for Secondary Teachers.

“Once I got into schools, I realized I didn't have the patience for high school students,” O’Neill said. “But I still loved the English major, so I decided to stick with Literature.”

O’Neill fell in love with the Literature program at WKU. After earning her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend law school to study family law and become a guardian ad litem, or a lawyer who represents a child in court.

“Literature helps me dive deeper into texts and writing,” O’Neill said. “That will help me with my future in law school.”

Being the Chapter Life Vice President for her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, the Recruitment and Retention Director for the Potter College Dean’s Council of Students, and a member of the Dynamic Leadership Institute, O’Neill is deeply involved in campus and community events.

O’Neill cites Dr. Gillian Knoll and Dr. Angela Jones as two members of the English department who have gone above and beyond to help her succeed.

“I do love the English department. Specifically, through Dean's Council, I'll see all the events that the English department holds and how they reach out to students,” O’Neill said. “I really see how much they have to offer.”