The College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University will welcome a new member this month, as Miriam Sahatdjian Gogol, Ph.D., becomes an associate dean.

Prior to her arrival at Fairfield, Dr. Gogol was a full professor, chair and then assistant chair of the English and Speech Department at the SUNY/Fashion Institute of Technology.

"The University (Fairfield) is very different from the university I'm coming from, but it's all delightful, in part because of the Jesuit tradition. I have been introduced to so much information in so short a time - including a two-day seminar at Ignatian Residential College. Tim (Snyder) warned that I'll learn 15 new things a day and forget at least two. He's correct," Dr. Gogol said.

As an associate dean, Dr. Gogol will be in charge of advising students, adjusting programs, assisting students with special needs, handling issues of credit adjustment, and helping to coordinate the Fulbright program.

Dr. Gogol received her bachelor's degree with highest honors in English literature from the City College of New York. Following her graduation, she earned her Ph.D. at Columbia University, where she wrote her dissertation on American literary naturalism, focusing on author Theodore Dreiser, under the guidance of Sacvan Bercovitch, a renowned Americanist and Harvard professor. After years of study and publishing as a Dreiser scholar, Dr. Gogol co-founded the International Dreiser Society.

Two years ago, Dr. Gogol was awarded a Senior Fulbright Scholarship to teach advanced-level American Studies and Women's Studies seminars and courses and to present university wide faculty lectures at Ostrava University, the fourth largest university in the Czech Republic.

With more than 10 years experience in administrative roles, Dr. Gogol is very interested in both the international studies and Fulbright programs at Fairfield University.

"The College is thrilled that Dr. Gogol has decided to join the Fairfield community," said Dr. Timothy Law Snyder, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "Her breadth of experience, especially in international programs, melds well with her passions for scholarship, teaching, literature, administration, and academic life. She will be an asset to our school and mission."

Dr. Gogol now resides in Fairfield with her husband and two Springer Spaniels.

Posted On: 09-09-2003 09:09 AM

Volume: 36 Number: 23