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Engaging the World with Steinbeck: A Message from the President of the International Society of Steinbeck Scholars

With resounding success, The John Steinbeck Society of America hosted the conference “Steinbeck and the Politics of Crisis, Ethics, Society, and Ecology” at San Jose State University, California held May 1–3, 2013. Scholars from around the world participated in the well-coordinated sessions. Among the presenters were Steinbeck scholars, graduate students, and public school teachers. The approaches taken and the perspectives shared once again demonstrate Steinbeck’s broad influence on many disciplines and aspects of life. The conference owes its success to the wonderful coordination of the Conference Steering Committee and the careful organizing by the staff of the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies, especially its current director, Nickolas P. Taylor, and the Center’s past director, Paul Douglass. Mimi Gladstein, the outgoing past president of The John Steinbeck Society of America, served the Society since 2006. During her term, Mimi oversaw the operations of the Society and, at the same time, nurtured and advised young Steinbeck scholars. As she often remarks, “This is the best way to serve the community of Steinbeck scholars,” and she has served well. Thank you, Mimi. At this conference, a new leadership team was formed. Luchen Li was nominated and elected President, and Thomas Barden was elected Vice President of the Society. Richard Hart was called upon to serve as Vice President for Academic Relations. Danica Čerče will be our Vice President for International Relations. Mimi Gladstein will stay connected with the Society as President Emeritus. Barbara Heavilin will continue serving as Editor in Chief for the Steinbeck Review. Barbara and her editorial board have been working diligently to seek great submissions for the journal. Their work has been a major milestone in documenting, advancing, and distributing Steinbeck scholarship. Considering the fact that Steinbeck studies have no boundaries, the Board deliberated over the current name of the Society and decided to change it to International Society of Steinbeck Scholars. This new name will be used in our