See below for information and programs from our previous annual conferences.
NOTE: If you have any information or documents related to past conferences that are not provided here, please email the SWCA DCD.
Conference Archives
Date/Year: February 22-24, 2024 Location: Atlanta (Decatur), GA, at the Courtyard by Marriott Theme: "Writing Center Movements" Chair: Levin Arnsperger, Leigh Elion, Melissa Yang Host: Emory University
Date/Year: February 9-11, 2023 Location: Nashville, TN, at the Guesthouse at Graceland Theme: "Navigating the Rivers of Change" Chair: Clayann Panetta Host: Christian Brothers University
Date/Year: February 10-12, 2022 Location: Online via Zoom Theme: "Present Tense, Future Perfect: Shaping Purposeful Writing Center Practices" Chair: Conference Host Committee: Kevin Dvorak, Executive Director, NSU WCC; Nikki Chasteen, Assistant Director, NSU WCC; Janine Morris, Faculty Coordinator, NSU WCC; Eric Mason, Faculty Coordinator, NSU WCC; Kelly Anne Concannon, Faculty Coordinator, NSU WCC Host: Nova Southeastern University (NSU Office of Academic Affairs; NSU Writing and Communication Center; NSU Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts; Master of Arts program in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media
Date/Year: February 11-13, 2021 Location: Online via Zoom Theme: "Trauma and Transformation: Writing Centers in an Era of Change" Chair: SWCA Conference Committee Sponsors: NSU, FSU, EKU, UAB, UCF, WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship, The Writing Center Journal, Rhetmap.org
Date/Year: February 20-22, 2020 Location: University of Alabama - Birmingham, AL Theme: "Growing Our Centers" Chair: Jaclyn Wells, Director, University Writing Center & Associate Professor of English
Date/Year: February 19-21, 2015 Location: Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN Theme: "Identities in Consultation: Diversity in the South and Beyond" Chair: Stacia Watkins
Date/Year: February 6-8, 2014 Location: Eastern Carolina University, Greenville, NC Theme: "Our Language, Ourselves: Rethinking Our Writing Center Communities" Co-Chairs: Will Banks and Nikki Caswell, East Carolina University
Date/Year: February 21-23, 2013 Location: Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL Theme: "The Work We Do" Co-Chairs: Shanti Bruce and Kevin Dvorak, Nova Southeastern University
Date/Year: February 17-19, 2011 Location: Bryant Conference Center, Tuscaloosa, AL Theme: "Turning the Tide" Chair: Luke Niiler, The University of Alabama
Date/Year: February, 2010 Location: Regional-conferences held in four states (Agnes Scott College, GA; Nova Southeastern University, FL; Mississippi College, MS; Wingate University, NC) Theme: "Back to the Tutor"
Florida
Dates: March 5-6, 2010
Location: Nova Southeastern University
Keynote Speaker: Paula Gillespie, Florida International University Conference Chairs: Shanti Bruce, Nova Southeastern University Kevin Dvorak, St. Thomas University
Date/Year: February 26-28, 2009 Location: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC Theme: "The Writing Center's Role in Student Success: 21st Century Strategies for Empowerment Rooted in Culture and Diversity" Chair: Hope Jackson
Date/Year: February 7-9, 2008 Location: The Armstrong Center, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA Theme: "Work in Progress: Destination Unknown" Chair: Debi Reese, Armstrong Atlantic State University
Date/Year: February 8-10, 2007 Location: Middle Tennessee State University, TN; Doubletree Hotel, Nashville, TN Theme: "Static and (dis)Harmony: Tuning into Writing Centers in the Music City" Chair: Trixie G. Smith, Middle Tennessee State University Keynote Speaker: Elizabeth Boquet, Fairfield University
Date/Year: February 16-18, 2006 Location: Chapel Hill, NC - Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill; The Carolina Inn Theme: "Let’s Research: Gathering Evidence to Support Writing Center Work" Chairs: Kim Abels, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, and Vicki Russell, Duke University Keynote Speaker: Neal Lerner, Northeastern University
NOTE: See pictures in Summer 2006 issue of Southern Discourse.
Date/Year: February 10-12, 2005 Location: Charleston, SC - The Citadel; Francis Marion Hotel Theme: "Writing as Learning: Understanding and Promoting Intellectual Growth and Critical Thinking in the Writing Center" Chairs: Linda Miller, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and Chris Fudge, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina Keynote Speaker: Chris Anson, North Carolina State University
Date/Year: February 19-21, 2004 Location: Kennesaw State University Writing Center, Atlanta, GA Theme: "Getting Back to Writing" Keynote Speaker: Peter Elbow, University of Massachusetts - Amherst Conference Chair: Bob Barrier, Kennesaw State University
Date/Year: February 13-15, 2003 Location: University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC; The Hilton at University Place Theme: "Making a Difference: Writing Centers and Change" Keynote Speaker: Patricia Lambert Stock, Michigan State University Conference Chair: Deanna Rogers, University of North Carolina - Charlotte
Date/Year: April 11-13, 2002 Location: Savannah, GA; Savannah Marriot Riverfront Hotel Theme: "The Art of Writing Centers" Keynote Speaker: Wendy Bishop, Florida State University Conference Chair: Traci Augustosky, Savannah College of Art and Design Keynote Speaker: Wendy Bishop
Date/Year: February 15-17, 2001 Location: Auburn, AL; Auburn University and the University of Montevallo; Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center Theme: "Collaboration at the Center" Chair: Isabelle Thompson, Auburn University, nd Glenda Conway, University of Montevallo Keynote Speaker: Lisa Ede
Date/Year: February 3-5, 2000 Location: Savannah, GA; The DeSoto Hilton Hotel Theme: "Vision and Revision: A Renaissance within the Writing Center" Keynote Speaker: Eric Hobson, Albany College of Pharmacy Conference Chair: Christina Van Dyke, Armstrong Atlantic State University
Date/Year: February 3-6, 1999 Location: Charleston, SC Theme: "Conversations about Teaching and Writing: Where Are We after Two Decades?" Keynote Speakers: Tilly Warnock, University of Arizona David Bartholomae, University of Pittsburgh Conference Chair: Tom Waldrep, Medical University of South Carolina
Date/Year: April 23-25, 1998 Location: Wesleyan College, Macon, GA Theme: "Stories from the Center" Keynote Speakers: Albert Deciccio, Merrimack College Kathleen Shine Cain, Merrimack College Conference Chair: Peggy Ellington, Wesleyan College
Date/Year: April 18-20, 1997 Location: Radisson Riverfront Hotel Theme: "The Need for High Tech, High Touch in the Writing Center" Chair: Karen Sisk, Augusta State University Keynote Speaker: Gail E. Hawisher, University of Illinois
Date/Year: February 1-3, 1996 Location: Myrtle Beach Theme: “Convergence” Chair: Phillip Gardner, Francis Marion University Keynote Speaker: Wendy Bishop, Florida State University
Note: No conference held this year due to change in conference scheduling.
Date/Year: October 27-29, 1994 Location: Rollins College Theme: “Writing (Centers) in the South: Special Miseries and Extraordinary Possibilities” Chairs: Twila Papay Yates, Rollins College; Beth Rapp Young, Rollins College Keynote Speaker: Lil Brannon, University of North Carolina - Charlotte
Date/Year: October 21-23, 1993 Location: The Holiday Inn in Decatur, GA Theme: "Authorial Odysseys: Steering Writers into the 21st Century" Chair: Christine Cozzens, Agnes Scott College Keynote Speaker: Jacqueline Jones Royster, Ohio State University
Date/Year: April 22-25, 1992 Location: Colonial Williamsburg Theme: "Embracing Connections: The Past, Present, and Future of Writing Centers" Chair: Tom MacLennan, UNC-Wilmington
Date/Year: April 11-13, 1991 Location: Embassy Suites Theme: "Writing Beyond the Curriculum: Approaching the 21st Century" Chairs: Loretta Cobb, University of Montevallo; David Chapman, Samford University Keynote Speaker: Elaine Maimon, Queens College CUNY
Date/Year: April 12-14, 1990 Location: Georgetown University Conference Center and Guest House Theme: "Politics and Prose: Inviting the Dialogue" Chair: Wilkie Smith Leith, George Mason University
Date/Year: April 13-15, 1989 Location: Hyatt Regency in Knoxville Theme: "The Writing Center Connection: Campus and Community" Chair: Jim Knox, Roane State Community College Keynote Speaker: Art Young, Clemson University
Date/Year: March 3-6, 1988 Location: Omni Hotel Theme: "The Composing/Computer Connection" Chair: Angela Williams, The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina Keynote Speaker: Donald Gallehr, George Mason University
Date/Year: April 9-11, 1987 Location: Marriott's Bay Point Resort Theme: "The Writing Center: Purpose, Place, Process" Chair: Barry Brunetti, Gulf Coast Community College
Date/Year: April 17-19, 1986 Location: University of South Alabama Theme: "Beyond Basic Writing: What More Can Writing Centers Do?" Chair: Renee Harper, University of South Alabama Keynote Speaker: Lou Kelly, University of Iowa
Date/Year: April 18-20, 1985 Location: Georgia State University Theme: "Theory and Reality: The Ideal Writing Center" Chair: Dabney Hart, Georgia State University Keynote Speaker: Muriel Harris, Purdue University
Date/Year: February 3-4, 1984 Location: University of South Carolina Chair: Tom Waldrep, University of South Carolina Keynote Speaker: Tilly Warnock and John Warnock, University of Wyoming
Date/Year: February 4-5, 1983 Location: University of South Carolina Theme: "Writing Centers: Redefining, Reassessing, Reaffirming" Chair: Tom Waldrep, University of South Carolina Keynote Speaker: Mary Croft, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Date/Year: February , 1982 Location: University of Alabama Theme: "Problem Solving in the Writing Center: Confronting the Day-to-Day Difficulties of Center Operation" Chair: Gary Olson, University of Alabama Keynote Speaker: Patricia T. Bates, Louisiana State University
Date/Year: February 7, 1981 Location: University of Alabama Theme: "The Effective Operation of a Writing Center" and "Obstacles to the Effective Operation of a Writing Center" Chair: Gary Olson, University of Alabama
