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 enrol 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 closer. 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