Installment 3 – Amy Troolin
Earth: Beyond the Spare Oom
These be the chronicles of the Signum graduates. Their ongoing struggle, to traverse a strange blue world, to eke out new lives with new manifestations, to brightly know what no mage has known before!
(Dramatic music)
Earth date: June 8th, 2026 of the Common Era
Michael: Tonight, as we commence our third adventure to locate the ancient wise philosophers who long ago passed beyond the towering walls of Signum University, we find ourselves in the company of the most esteemed Amy Troolin.
Amy: Hi, how are you this morning?
Michael: I’m well thanks, but it’s evening here! Nonetheless, it’s no surprise to find a Signum graduate who’s a time traveller. Speaking of time, do tell most excellent Amy, how long has it been since you took flight from beneath Thorondor’s wings?
Amy: Well, it was 2020. Wow, 5 years ago!
Michael: Merely a brief glimmer for a bright star. How then did you first discover Signum?
Amy: I think I just discovered Signum on a web search.
Michael: What a coincidence! Of all the waves one might surf across the World Wide Web, I too landed upon these same glorious shores in the same way. So what made you decide to study at Signum?
Amy: I’ve long been a Tolkien fan. I contacted Corey, became involved with the Work Study Program, and went from there.
Michael: Another Tolkien fan. Surely your learning adventure concentrated upon Tolkien Studies then.
Amy: Actually, no. I took the MA but pursued the Germanic Philology concentration instead and wrote my thesis on the Lord’s Prayer.
Michael: Intriguing. You have already slain the dragon I myself aim to tame. May I ask, have you ventured far since graduation?
Amy: Geographically, I’m still in the same town. But Signum introduced me to a whole new world, working with scores of bright people. Even now, I continue to work with authors as Director of Signum Press and the Collaboratory. It’s been quite a treat to do this.
Michael: Marvellous! It’s always wonderful to hear of graduates maintaining a connection with Signum. Do you maintain any other links with the community?
Amy: I have several other roles at Signum. I’m an administrative assistant for the board, I look after donor care, and I’ve had some ideas for SPACE but haven’t had time to start the process for them yet.
Michael: You are well connected. Are you still pursuing further study anywhere else?
Amy: I always say I’m going to stop taking courses when I actually get my doctorate but people just laugh at me. Right now, I’m pursuing a Master of Sacred Scripture at Holy Apostles College & Seminary. This is my fifth MA so I hope to move into a PhD in Theology programme afterwards.
Michael: I see you share Tolkien’s interest in religion.
Amy: Yes, I do. In fact, my blog is called The Catholic Scholar.
Michael: I’ll be sure to check it out sometime. Might I ask how you would rate your experience at Signum compared with other institutes?
Amy: 10 out of 10. There’s more of a community aspect at Signum. People really care about you, your success, and your happiness. Not that other places didn’t have that, but there’s so much more interaction at Signum.
Michael: The fact everyone is genuinely interested in studying no doubt helps. Did you have any negative experiences at Signum?
Amy: Not really. There was one class I didn’t care for but that happens in any programme. Otherwise, no, not really.
Michael: Okay. Well then, how do you think Signum could be improved?
Amy: I think we just need to get more people in, to have more people find us. We’re so small. We need to continue to grow the community. We could probably market ourselves a bit better and get ourselves out in front of more people.
Michael: Great minds think alike on that note. Perhaps it would encourage others to enroll if you could say what you enjoyed most about studying at Signum?
Amy: The subjects, being able to dig into Tolkien and ancient Germanic things. I worked with Nelson Goering (in the Beowulf class) and Paul Peterson who were fantastic. My thesis project was not traditional and it turned out to be very long. Those guys worked so hard on reading it and guiding me through all the intricacies. They were so patient and willing to dedicate themselves to the project,
and to spend their time helping me. I don’t think a lot of professors would’ve been willing to do that.
Michael: That’s superb! Have you any suggestions to share wanderers in this dark world who may be contemplating enrolling?
Amy: Play LOTR online. We have the Mythgard kinship which is on the Peregrin server. We have Tolkien readings each month at our kinship house. Corey runs field trips within the game where we go somewhere within Middle Earth and explore the world. As Corey also says, “Look at things very closely. Notice the details. It’s the LOTR world.”
Michael: That was unexpected but also most interesting. What would you say to new students?
Amy: Keep up on the readings. Time management skills are huge. Immerse yourself as much as possible in the classes. Get to know people. Participate in the forums, and do Work Study.
Michael: Fabulous! It’s been delightful speaking with you, Amy. Thank you for sharing your story yet, speaking of the time again, it’s now come time to bid you adieu.
Amy: Thank you for the opportunity. I’d love to talk with you