Colleagues and friends of the Comparative Literature Department gathered together last week at the Fall Welcome Reception to kick-off a year of celebrating the department’s 50th Anniversary. The event, organized by the Comparative Literature Graduate Student Association, consisted of leisurely mingling, lively conversation, and – the climax of our event – a discussion panel with two of the department’s longest-serving faculty members: Professors Kathleen Komar and Ross Shideler. Professors Komar and Shideler shared intriguing anecdotes about the department’s origin and evolution, highlighting the persist hard work devoted to fighting for the establishment of an official Comparative Literature program and department. Needless to say, we are all grateful for their contributions.
The CLGSA would like to thank everyone who took part in the discussion and jubilee, especially those individuals who helped make the event possible. And, again, a special thank you to Professors Komar and Shideler for their insight and stories. We are thrilled by the success of this event and can’t wait for the next ones!