Two West Virginia University faculty members have been named recipients of the 2008 James and Arthur Gabriel/Gabriel Brothers Inc. Faculty Award.
Kathleen Ryan and Mark Brazaitis, who both teachin the Department of English in WVU s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, will be recognized with the award at the collegesWeekend of Honorsceremony at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 12, in the Mountainlair ballrooms.
The award was established by WVU alumni James and Arthur Gabriel, founding partners of Gabriel Brothers Inc., the Morgantown-based discount clothing business. The Gabriels created it to encourage, support and reward faculty endeavors, especially teaching, that focus on America and on American society and culture. Recipients each receive $1,000 for use in support of their activities as faculty members.
Ryan and Brazaitis are being honored for their work with the Appalachian Prison Book Project, which provides free books to people in prison. Project members and volunteers include WVU students, professors and members of the Morgantown community. The group is an official student organization of WVU .
Katy and Marks work with the Appalachian Prison Book Project embodies American civic-mindedness at its best,said Donald Hall, chair of WVU s Department of English.They are a true inspiration for our faculty, students and community. Their devotion of time and energy to this important service to the state and region makes us all very proud.
Ryan, who founded the book project, obtained her bachelors degree from Boston College and her masters from St. Louis University. She earned a doctorate in English and American literature at the University of Massachusetts.
Its a terrific honor and a wonderful recognition for the Appalachian Prison Book Project,Ryan said.The letters that we receive at the project make clear how important it is to keep books flowing into prisons, and this simply cannot happen without the work and commitment of many people. I am grateful and energized to be part of this needed collective effort.
Ryan joined the WVU faculty in 2000 as a specialist in 20th century American literature and modern drama. She has been honored with both the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award and the WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching. Ryan has published articles that examine American literature, prison literature and the death penalty.
Brazaitis, who has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Bowling Green University and a bachelors in history from Harvard University, is a member of WVU s creative writing faculty.
If theres any one person who deserves this award, its Katy Ryan, whose vision and dedication madeand makethe Appalachian Prison Book Project possible,Brazaitis said.She and I share the award with dozens of people who have contributed in great ways to what we do, as well as with the women and men behind bars who want to engage their intellects. Katy and I are grateful to the Gabriel Brothers and to everyone who supports the project.
Brazaitis is a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and his writing has been supported by a Faculty Senate Research Grant from the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. He has been recognized with the Eberly Colleges Outstanding Researcher Award and its Outstanding Teacher Award.