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Gary Scharnhorst 277-3015 Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920

December 7, 2001

UNM ENGLISH PROFESSOR ELECTED TO HIGHEST LITERATURE OFFICE

University of New Mexico English Professor Gary Scharnhorst has been elected chair of the American Literature Section of the Modern Language Association (MLA) for 2002. The position is the highest elected office for an American literature professor.

The Modern Language Association of America provides opportunities for its members to share scholarly findings and teaching experiences with colleagues and to discuss trends in the academy. MLA members host an annual convention and work with related organizations while sustaining one of the finest publishing programs in the humanities.

"My election as chair of the Section is a great honor. I trust it reflects well upon the tradition of American literature scholars who have taught at UNM, including George Arms, Bob Fleming, Hamlin Hill, Jim Barbour and Leon Howard," says Scharnhorst.

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