English Faculty + Staff
It's our people who make the difference
The English Department is one of the largest departments on campus, with about 40 current faculty/staff and many active retired faculty/emeriti. The depth of faculty expertise, passion, and engagement sets English apart from other areas of campus.
With prolific writers, researchers, and scholars in everything from creative writing to rhetoric to English education to linguistics to critical studies in literatures, cultures, and film (and many time periods and geographical areas of coverage), students who major or minor in any emphasis of English will find incredible instruction and academic support at every possible turn. When you add the bonus of some of the most musically gifted faculty on campus, outside of the Music and Theatre Arts Department, it’s an irresistible lot.
The department's strength is definitely within its faculty. All of my professors have been super insightful on issues both within English studies directly and beyond: critical race theory; issues of feminism, sexual orientation, and gender; the human psyche. All of these issues were discussed thoroughly throughout my time here at Eau Claire. And I feel I have made lasting relationships with several faculty members; they're not just there to instruct, but to help you grow as well.
The Power of AND in action
As a musician, as an educator, and as an advocate for social justice, Dr. David Jones is making music AND moving mountains ... and that’s pretty powerful!
A true change agent
Expert advice
To expose her students to more diverse perspectives in the field, English education professor Christina Berchini organized a panel of six area teachers to come in and speak with the class.
Getting the real 411
A voice for the voiceless
As an internationally celebrated playwright and dramatist with a vision for social justice and equality for all, Dr. Tess Onwueme uses her powerful works to give a voice to those who are voiceless.
Powerful playwright
‘Gatsby’ ... the rest of the story
Joel Pace, profesor of English, combines his literary and musical talents to transform F. Scott Fitzgerald’s actual work into an album, a creation he describes as “lit hop” — or literary hip hop.
Fitzgerald inspirations
A Department Committed to Excellence
For the past several years the English department has had faculty and staff members recognized for excellence at the university's academic year opening meeting.
English faculty awardedMeet the outstanding members of the English department:
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Erica Benson, Ph.D.
Department Chair | Professor
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José Felipe Alvergue, Ph.D., M.F.A.
Associate Professor | Director of Undergraduate Studies
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Allyson Loomis, M.F.A.
Associate Professor | Director of Graduate Studies
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Kaia Simon, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor | Director of the Writing Program
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B.J. Hollars, M.F.A.
Associate Professor | Director of Writing Internships
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Joanne Erickson
Academic Department Associate
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Alaina Guns
University Services Program Associate | Academic Department Associate
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Debra K. Barker, Ph.D.
Professor | Director of AIS
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Brett Beach, M.F.A.
Lecturer
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Kelly Budruweit, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
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Dorothy Chan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
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Ruth Cronje, Ph.D.
Professor
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Stephanie Farrar, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
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MicKenzie Fasteland, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
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Frank Fucile, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
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Karly Grice, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
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David Hadbawnik, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
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Lucy Johnson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
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David Jones, Ph.D.
Interim Director, University Honors Program | Professor
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Theresa Kemp, Ph.D.
Professor
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Liz Kitzmann
Lecturer
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Peter Knutson
Lecturer
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Jon Loomis, M.F.A.
Professor
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Bob Nowlan, Ph.D.
Professor
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Ellen Osterhaus, Ph.D.
Lecturer
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Joel Pace, Ph.D.
Professor
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Molly Patterson, M.F.A.
Associate Professor
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John Price, Ph.D.
Lecturer
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Cathy Rex, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
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Jonathan Rylander, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor | Director of the Center for Writing Excellence
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Asha Sen, Ph.D.
Professor
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David Shih, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
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Jan Stirm, Ph.D.
Professor
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Andrew Suralski, M.A.
Lecturer | Assistant Director of the Center for Writing Excellence
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Jennifer Suriano, Ed.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
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Stacy Thompson, Ph.D.
Professor
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Stephanie Turner, Ph.D.
Professor
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Blake Westerlund, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
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Lynsey Wolter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Retired/emeriti faculty members
Alea, Mary Ellen
Browne, T.A.
Bushnell, Jack
Clark, Wilma
Dale, Helen
Duyfhuizen, Bernard "Duffy"
Fessler, Audrey
Garland, Max
Haakenson, Bergine
Hale-Wilson, Kate
Hanson, Charles
Harder, Harry
Harder, Sarah
Hildebrand, John
Hilger, Michael
Hirsch, Tim
Hochstein, Gloria
Jackson, Alan
Jones, Eleanor
Kelly, Erna
Lauber, Peg
Loeb, Karen
Martin, Larry
Maxwell, Rhoda
Meiser, Mary
Onwueme, Tess
Pearson, Douglas
Preston, Elizabeth
Rosen, Irwin
Rubrecht, August
Schneider, Ralph
Shaddock, Jenny
Taylor, Bruce
Utschig, Anne
Waters, Douglas
Welch, Karen
Wood, Marty