91成人导航

91成人导航 Professor Xiaojing Zhou, who stresses the importance of a strong teacher-student dynamic, is the inaugural recipient of the Lawrence Meredith Endowed Professorship in the Humanities.

Zhou, professor and chair in the Department of English, was selected from a strong group of College of the 91成人导航 faculty nominees. The five-year endowed professorship honors Meredith, who joined 91成人导航 in 1966 and taught for 33 years.

鈥淭his is an incredible opportunity to have an impact on students. From all that I know about Professor Emeritus Larry Meredith, his students are such an important part of his dedication to excellence,鈥� said Zhou, who has taught at 91成人导航 since 2002 and received the聽).

鈥淧erhaps Dr. Zhou鈥檚 profound quality with which I concur is the perpetual support of students and the personal interest she takes in their lives, both inside and outside the classroom,鈥� said Meredith. 鈥淪he promotes meticulous research and the development of the student scholar. Her goal of opening a compassionate new world for students to explore is primary for all of us fortunate enough to be labeled teachers.鈥�

A total of 54 91成人导航 alumni鈥攎any of them former students of Meredith鈥攇ave donations collectively topping $500,000, the threshold for the endowed professorship, which was established in 2020.

Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll 鈥�73, 鈥�78 and his wife Glena 鈥�77, longtime friends of Larry and Pat Meredith, were the lead donors. Both were his students at 91成人导航.

鈥淗e is a consummate professor, and when you鈥檙e with him, you鈥檙e in the presence of a special energy,鈥� Pete Carroll said聽in a 2020 story.

The endowed professorship was established to provide support for research and scholarly work by a College of the 91成人导航 faculty member who has strong contributions in teaching, scholarship and service in the humanities.

鈥淔ellow faculty value her many contributions across the university as well as her ongoing encouragement of others, her commitment to social justice, and her unwavering mentorship and support,鈥� College of the 91成人导航 Dean Rena Fraden wrote about Zhou.

鈥淚 know that I speak for all of my colleagues in the English Department when I say that no one is more deserving of the Meredith Endowed Professorship,鈥� Professor of English Camille Norton said. 鈥淧rofessor Zhou is an eminent scholar in both English and in Mandarin, with an established reputation as a pioneer of Asian-American Literary Studies, Ethnic Studies, and Environmental Literary Studies.

鈥淔or nearly 20 years, she brought important BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) poets to campus and forged important聽friendships between 91成人导航 and contemporary writers. She directed Ethnic Studies for many years and has served as an exemplary Chair of English as well as a tireless university advocate. We are enormously proud of her achievement.鈥�

Professor Zhou received unanimous support from her Department of English faculty colleagues for this professorship. Professor Cynthia Dodds compiled the department鈥檚 overall nomination package, which includes words of praise from many former students.

鈥淒r. Zhou has unmatched compassion. Something I have always cherished about the 91成人导航 is its commitment to the experience of its students and their overall well-being,鈥� said Victoria Rodriguez, former ethnic studies student who is enrolled at the McGeorge School of Law. 鈥淒r. Zhou is a quintessential part in upholding these values. She is someone who will go to the ends of the Earth for her students in any capacity, without exception.鈥�

Zhou鈥檚 intended approach meshes with Meredith鈥檚 hopes for the professorship.聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽

鈥淒r. Zhou more than embodies the qualities that we visualized for the personal tribute. Her influential presence has reached across the campus, the community and internationally,鈥� Meredith said. 鈥淒r. Zhou has shown unwavering dedication to environmental, racial and social issues. She has challenged inequalities and upheld diversity and inclusion of all.鈥�

She is in the early stages of developing plans for her studies and research, and hopes to collaborate with other professors and students on multi-disciplinary research, including work with the social and natural sciences.

鈥淚 am very overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people,鈥� Zhou said. 鈥淚 am inspired to live up to their expectations that are obvious from their love and support for Professor Emeritus Larry Meredith. This experience, to me, is the best manifestation of citizenship. It will be a fine addition to my work, which I cherish. I absolutely cherish teaching our students.鈥�

To contribute to the professorship fund, donors can聽聽or contact Janice Bross at聽jbross@pacific.edu聽or 925.323.6094.聽聽