From the Chair

As this academic year draws to a close, I have spent much of my time attempting to deal with the ramifications for the department of the stateís economic woes.  Unfortunately, state-supported travel has been cancelled for a few faculty planning to attend conferences during May and June and it appears that departmentally produced journals may face temporary cancellations or delays in publication.  There is little doubt that should any staff position become vacant, we will not be permitted to fill it.  Fortunately, at this point we have been told that we can fill vacant faculty positions for which we are conducting searches.

Other positive news concerns major university awards recently received by members of the department.  Jim Kirkland was chosen as a recipient of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Teacher Scholar Award.  Jim presented a paper at a symposium for recipients of the award, who were also honored at a reception.  On May 1, Pat Bizzaro was selected as a recipient of a Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award.  Pat was presented his award at the annual spring teaching award ceremony.

Moving to the category of positive/negative news, I am happy/sad to report that five faculty will soon be leaving our ranks.  Beth Harvin, who served as a lecturer this spring semester, will be accompanying her husband to his new medical residency.  Jennifer Hughes, who served two years as a lecturer, will be entering the doctoral program in American Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Agnes Bolonyai is leaving after three years as an assistant professor in the department in order to take a position at North Carolina State University.  Agnesí contributions to the program in Teaching English as a Second Language have been especially noteworthy.

Stephen Harding, who has spent a total of nineteen years at ECU as an undergraduate, graduate student/teaching assistant, and lecturer, is leaving the department to accept a position as Minister of Media, Arts, and Children at Oakmont Baptist Church here in Greenville.  Steve completed his Masters of Divinity degree at Campbell University this semester.

Finally, Collett Dilworth is retiring at the end of the first summer session.  Collett joined the department in 1978 as an assistant professor of English Education, having served five years as a Supervisor in the Fayetteville City School system.  I have noted on several occasions that when our emeriti faculty return for the departmentís annual dinner in their honor, each person enters the room with a beaming smile and a firm conviction that the retirement years are truly great.  I anticipate that Collettís smile next year will be the beamingest!

The department will miss these colleagues, but wishes them well as they enter their new pathways.

And so this academic year ends, while preparations begin for 2002-2003.  I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to remind my colleagues that we gather once more for the fall convocation and first departmental meeting on Monday, August 19, 2002.  Have a pleasant and productive summer!