Oct. 3, 2006 issue
I came to EMU in 1998, from Rochester, N.Y.,
to teach Renaissance literature. Having never been to Michigan
before, I didn't really know much about the school or the
area. But, I made the right decision. Eastern is a great
place to be.
I've had two different lives here at Eastern, one as an associate professor
in the department of English language and literature, and the other as
the director of the Honors College. I've always been interested in Honors.
It's a great venue for bringing creative faculty together with excellent
students. The Honors College allows teachers to be innovative and try
new things, while encouraging students to take an active role in shaping
their education.
One honors course that I taught was a literature course, "Visual and
Verbal Story-Telling," exploring works that students wouldn't typically
consider literature (such as comics film and electronic media). The students
were open to new ideas and we had a lot of fun.
As honors director, I have had the opportunity to facilitate experiments
and support faculty in creating courses. I also have had
the opportunity to see the larger campus. There are a lot of
exciting things going on that you miss when you just stay
in your department. Honors deals with everything, from
admissions to campus life to faculty and fundraising. It's
been an eye-opening experience to see the great work that
goes on here. The commitment we have to students has increased
my appreciation for Eastern.
As a faculty member, I also have had wonderful opportunities to develop
my research and teaching beyond the campus. I've been able to teach the
courses I love both here and in Traverse City, and I've taught two study
abroad classes in Europe. The University offers support for both teaching
and research. In the time I've been here, I've been able to publish a
book and complete research for numerous articles and presentations.
The students here impress me with their curiosity. It's nice to find
students who actually care about learning, and not just getting the credit.
In literature, there isn't always a set answer; the search is the most
important part. Students who are dedicated to learning and dedicated to
EMU are the key to getting that message across.
