I took my first class with Emily spring term of my freshman year, during a particularly difficult time in my academic career. Though I shied away from professors at that point, Emily displayed a unique compassion towards me, a student who never spoke in class and shied away from unnecessary contact with the professors who intimidated her.Eventually, I developed a close personal relationship with Emily, and she has radically redefined my idea of professor-student collaboration. I am currently taking Emily’s Major British Writers class as well as doing a tutorial with her on Women and Satire. Under Emily’s guidance, I have not only commenced an extended independent research project, but have also decided that I wish to continue my studies of literature and Gender Studies, with the ultimate goal of becoming an English professor.
I feel extremely lucky to have had the experience of getting to know Emily on both an academic and personal level. The classes I have taken with her have been the most transformative of my Lawrence experience, broadening my knowledge of and interest in pre-nineteenth century literature and enhancing my skills and both a writer and active class participant.
Emily’s keen intelligence, sense of humor, concern for every one of her students and incredible enthusiasm for life in general has revitalized my college experience. It is disheartening for me to see the English department losing such a vital member of their faculty, but I am confident that many other students will agree that Emily has been an invaluable member of the Lawrence community.
–Bridget Donnelly ’12