Gloria Dyc, professor of Arts and Letters at the University of New Mexico-Gallup, has been named a UNM Regents Professor in English, a first for a branch faculty member. The three-year appointment includes a stipend used to further their research or professional projects. The title, one of the highest honors UNM bestows on faculty, can be used for life.
Photo: Professor Gloria Dyc
“This is the first time that a branch faculty member has received a Regents’ professorship. I think this reflects the increasing recognition by UNM of the critical contributions made by the branches and of the quality of faculty that serve at the branch colleges,” said Chris Marlow, dean of instruction.
Dyc, who joined the UNM-Gallup faculty in 1988 as an instructor in English, completed her dissertation for the Ph.D. in English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan in 1989, and was subsequently promoted to assistant professor. Her dissertation was based on six years of fieldwork and teaching at Sinte Gleska College on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.
Dyc’s theoretical work on development of literacy in native communities has been published in the American Indian Culture and Research Journal and the Bilingual Research Journal. She has made scholarly presentations at the College Composition and Communications Conference, the Rocky Mountain MLA, the American Anthropology Association Conference, Teaching English as a Second Language conference and others.
She served as chair of English/Communications at UNM-Gallup for two years, and then chair of Arts and Letters for six years after a re-organization of college departments.
Dyc has been active on the UNM-Gallup Cultural Arts Council since its inception. Among CAC accomplishments: successfully nominating the late Carl Gorman for an honorary doctorate from UNM, as well as bringing numerous artists, musicians and writers to campus.
“I’ve taught Native American literature for 25 years, so these readings have supported my teaching and have provided students with valuable contact,” Dyc said.
In addition, much of the student work in The Red Mesa Review, UNM-Gallup’s award-winning literary magazine, originates in Dyc’s creative writing or Native American Literature class.
Her first collection of poetry, East West and Beyond, published by Plainview Press of Austin, Texas, (www.plainviewpress.net) is due for release soon. Her fiction has been published in numerous journals and anthologies.
"Dr. Dyc is truly deserving of this award,” said Marlow. “She has excelled in her teaching and has provided valuable service to the college and the community, and has engaged in professional development including publishing articles and creative works.’
Media Contact: Linda Thornton, (505) 863-7565; e-mail: lthornton@gallup.unm.edu
Posted by scarr at May 14, 2007 08:31 AM