Ryan and McClung to Be Honored by College

Helen McClung and Leigh Ryan will be recognized for their years of service to the College of Arts and Humanities.

At the Arts and Humanities Convocation on Tuesday, September 15, two members of the Department of English will receive awards.

Helen McClung, academic program specialist in the Professional Writing Program, will receive the Non-Exempt Staff Service Award. "Helen is much appreciated by the PWP faculty and staff for her extensive knowledge of the department and the campus, and for her unfailing helpfulness to those attempting to negotiate the university's sometimes arcane ways," says Department Chair Kent Cartwright. "Helen serves students with clarity, efficiency, and compassion, and, of course, she is well known to all in the department for her warmth and humor." Helen also recently received an Honorable Mention for "Extraordinary Public Service to the University or Greater Community" for the 2009 Board of Regents Nonexempt Staff Awards.

Leigh Ryan, Director of the Writing Center, will receive the Faculty Service Award. Leigh, who has been a faculty member for some thirty years, was the founder of the University Writing Center. Leigh's approach has been to bring together a vast community of retired volunteers and undergraduate peer tutors, and to train them in helping students to manage the writing process. Each year some 8,000 students use the Writing Center, and Leigh's practices have become a national model. On campus, Leigh has also tirelessly promoted good writing with workshops, talks, lectures, and special programs. She is the author of The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors, now in its fourth edition as the seminal book on training peer tutors. "All who work with Leigh know that she approaches every task with engagement, commitment, and a collegial spirit," says Cartwright.

Convocation will be held on September 15 at 3:30PM in Ulrich Recital Hall in Tawes. Please join us to celebrate Helen and Leigh's service to the Department and College.