After
receiving two M.A. degrees, one in Spanish, the other in French, University
of Chicago, 1964, Professor Teresa Kirschner spent one year lecturing at
Indiana University before beginning her teaching career at Simon Fraser
University, 1967. On obtaining a Ph.D., Spanish Literature, University
of Chicago, 1973, she was made Assistant Professor, Simon Fraser, 1974,
Associate, 1981-90, and Full Professor, 1990, until her retirement, 1998,
when she became Professor Emeritus. Besides winning the Excellence in Teaching
Award, 1988, Dr. Kirschner, born Barcelona, Spain, 1936, has thrice won
the Canadian Association of Hispanists Award, once for the book El protagonista
colectivo en Fuenteovejuna de Lope de Vega, 1979. She has also written
or edited numerous books and articles on both 17th and 20th century Spanish
and Latin American literature, and has been active in numerous organizations,
including serving terms as President, Canadian Association of Hispanists;
Chair, Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies, Simon Fraser University;
Member, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada; and
Member, Executive Committee, Canadian Commission for UNESCO. Another of
her interests is the Vancouver Spanish Pacific Historical Society, founded
to promote through lectures, symposia, and exhibits, interest in Spanish
activities along the northwest coast during the 18th century. At her retirement
party, 1998, Dr. Kirschner received a contemporary totem pole, a reminder
of the towering contribution she has made to Canadian Hispanic Studies.
[Photo, courtesy Professor Teresa Kirschner]
