Nerdvember Kicks Off in LLP

 The Nerd Lounge Creates Community Beyond the Classroom

Jarron Bills
Writing for Publication Staff Writer

Jarron Bills

"We Want this to be your space, be a place where
students are in charge"
-  Dr. Christopher Field

College is about more than what happens inside the classroom. For students participating in the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy's have an opportunity to connect with others who share their interests while building friendships, skills, and experiences that can last beyond graduation.

Founded in 2023, the Nerd Lounge (formally the Nerd Culture Club) was created with a vision of students exploring their common interests and embracing themselves. The organization brings students together through activities that celebrate nerd culture, creativity, and community. Members have opportunities to participate in movie screenings, loose discussions, graphic novels, games and more.  The community gives students a chance to have fun while also developing valuable interpersonal and professional skills. The club hopes to take field trips to different events.

The club meets on Friday 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. at Jackson Hall weekly. Students do not need to be experts or deeply familiar with every aspect of nerd culture to participate. The club is designed to welcome students with different interests and backgrounds.

Dr. Christopher Field, LLP Professor, is the Nerd Lounge adviser. He says participation can benefit students long after college by helping them develop better reading skills and just preparing them for graduation and into their chosen profession. The lounge also provides opportunities for students to take on leadership roles, allowing members to gain experience with organization, communication, teamwork, and event planning.      

For students who may feel nervous about attending for the first time, Field encourages them to join an environment that is welcoming and not intimidating. The goal is to create a space where students can feel comfortable meeting new people and exploring shared interests.

Dr. Chris Field Presents at
"I Want to Write 

Students also describe the Nerd Culture Club/Nerd Lounge as an important part of their LLP experience. Lyra Ford, a Senior, joined because she loves the community and has selected special interests. Their favorite activities include the tier list party, while their most memorable experience has been the tier list party as well.   

For busy students wondering whether they have time to participate, members emphasize that it is a welcoming environment and that anybody can participate. Even limited participation can provide opportunities to meet people, develop skills, and become more connected to the LLP community.

Whether you are interested in games, literature, technology, creative activities, or simply meeting new people, the Nerd Culture Club/Nerd Lounge offers a place to belong. Students interested in getting involved can contact Dr Field and/or just come in.

Come curious, come as you are, and discover what the Nerd Culture Club/Nerd Lounge has to offer!

Jarron Bills is a junior at Tennessee State University from Indianapolis, Indiana. He is majoring in English with an Africana Studies minor. Bills is a part of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor society, participates in the Nerd Lounge, and is currently helping to start a chapter of Helping Black Communities Unite Inc. (H.B.C.U Inc.) on campus amongst other things. Bills enjoys reading, researching different topics, listening to music, and expressing himself creatively. After graduation, Bills plans to become an anthropologist/archivist. He hopes that through the medium of writing he can help contribute to more people expressing themselves.

Culture, Connection and Intersection: Celebrating Día de los Muertos with LLP

By Khori Baker
Writing for Publication Staff Writer

Khori Baker

Learn about the Latin American tradition of Día de los Muertos and the cultural connections that bring our diverse campus together.

A great university is centered around more than what we learn in a classroom; it also creates opportunities to experience traditions, ask questions, and connect with people whose backgrounds may differ from our own. Monday, the Department of Languages, Literature and Philosophy will celebrate Día de los Muertos (which translates to Day of The Dead). All are invited.  

Dr. Francesco Masala-Martínez, an LLP Spanish professor at TSU, will host the annual Día de los Muertos event on Monday, November 2nd from 1-2pm in Holland hall . Open to the entire TSU community, the celebration will offer a presentation about the syncretic tradition, which blends Indigenous practices and Spanish Catholicism, along with food and drinks. Dr.Masala-Martínez describes this event as “a great learning opportunity for both faculty and students on campus.”

Exploring the Meaning Behind the Tradition

Dr. Masala-Martínez will host a space that introduces students and attendees to the origins of Día de los Muertos, its cultural significance, and why it continues to be celebrated today. His discussion will look beyond its commercial association with Mexico to include its celebration in other Latin American countries as well.

For students who have heard of the holiday (whether from a favorite Disney movie or cartoon) but know little about its history, this event not only offers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding but also invites attendees to consider the meaning behind a well known tradition and why many Latin American communities have continued to carry it forward.

Connecting Through Culture

One of the most valuable parts of a campus event such as this is the opportunity to learn outside an academic setting. There are no pressures of a grade or the anxiety of completing an assignment. Students can freely explore a cultural tradition while sharing a space with faculty, staff, and fellow students who are also learning about the significance of the holiday. Participation is not limited to Spanish students or a particular major; the invitation extends to everyone in the TSU community, which is the greatest part.

The celebration also highlights the diversity within our university. The LLP department's committment to voice and identity provides a meaningful foundation for exploring cultural histories. Considering how diverse histories often intersect with our own cultures and customs is key to bridging humanity together (think pouring one out for the homies or your grandmother’s end table full of obituaries from past decades). Learning about another community’s traditions can encourage both an appreciation for diversity and a recognition of shared experiences.

Join the Celebration

Dr. Masala-Martinez

Dr. Masala-Martínez organizes this event every year as part of the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy's committment to community learning.  All are welcome to attend. Whether you are already familiar with Día de los Muertos or discovering it for the first time, this is an opportunity to learn and connect.

The program is Monday, Nov. 2, at 1p, Holland Hall, Room 110. Come with curiosity, enjoy food and drinks, and take part in a celebration that brings cultural learning into campus life.

Khori Baker is a junior English major at Tennessee State University and a South Nashville native. A poet and creative writer, she is especially interested in poetry, storytelling, and literature that explores Black life, womanhood, and identity. Her favorite writers include Warsan Shire and Toni Morrison. Outside of the classroom, Baker is a published author and spoken-word poet whose debut poetry collection, The Bearings of My Beloved, was released in 2026. She aspires to become a literary agent while continuing to publish her own work across multiple genres.

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