Here's the "official" call for proposals and papers for KBS 2007. Note the deadline of Feb 1 . . .

Dave

***
Dear Educators, Researchers, and Scholars;

As an individual who has shown interest in rhetorical study or the works
of Kenneth Burke himself, I cordially invite you and your undergraduate
or graduate students to submit original research to present at the
seventh triennial conference for the Kenneth Burke Society, scheduled
for June 29th through July 1st, 2008 and proudly hosted by Villanova
University. The submission deadline for completed papers and panel
proposals is February 1, 2008.

Paper submissions are open to scholars who integrate any of the works of
Kenneth Burke into their research, regardless of academic discipline.
As the premiere organization devoted to the life and works of Burke, the
KBS conference features strong, innovative scholarship on Burkean themes
and subjects. I invite you to contribute your voice to this year's
conversation, and submit a paper or panel that represents some of your
current thinking on Burke's relevance to contemporary scholarship.

Although many conference attendees are established scholars in their
fields, the format and size of the conference also allows students to
network and to receive valuable feedback from preeminent Burkean
scholars. I ask, then, that you also announce this conference to your
students, and encourage them to submit existing papers—or, over the
current academic year, write new ones—on Burkean themes. The KBS
conference always includes a number of graduate student submissions—one
of which is recognized by a top-paper award. Moreover, to encourage
submissions by promising undergraduate students, completed papers by
undergraduate students received by the submissions deadline are eligible
for one of two grants awarded to the top undergraduate papers. This
grant covers travel expenses, lodging, and conference registration, and
is sponsored by the Graduate Programs in Communication at Villanova
University.

The theme for the conference will be Kenneth Burke: Transcendence
through Perspective, and will feature keynote addresses by esteemed
sociologist Joseph R. Gusfield, and noted scholar of African American
literature John S. Wright. Conference panels will also include featured
addresses from communication scholars A. Cheree Carlson, Michael Hyde,
as well as sociologist Robert Perinbanayagam.

Conference attendees will be able to participate in seminars meeting
throughout the conference—another feature of the conference which makes
it “student-friendly.” Seminars develop aspects of the conference theme
will be led by other strong Burkean scholars, including Ann George
(English), Mari Boor Tonn (Communication), Scott Newstok (English), and
Robert Wess (English). Specific topics for each seminar will be
announced later this fall.

The conference also boasts a range of other activities, including an
evening with the Burke family and a ceremony honoring the contributions
and research of three late members of the KBS: Leland Griffin, Bernard
Brock, and William Rueckert.

An official call for papers will be sent out once program details have
been finalized. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to
E-mail me at george.boone@villanova.edu, or contact the conference
planner, Dr. Bryan Crable, at bryan.crable@villanova.edu.

Sincerely,
George Boone
Assistant to the Conference Planner