|
|
|
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
CONTACT: Russell Guerrero
May 22, 2008
Field to Become First J.K. and Ingrid Lee Professor in Chinese Language and Literature at Trinity University
|
|
|
Stephen Field |
SAN ANTONIO – Stephen Field, professor of Chinese and chair of the modern languages and literatures department at Trinity University, has been appointed as the first J.K. and Ingrid Lee Professor in Chinese language and literature. The new professorship will begin June 1.
The J.K. and Ingrid Lee professorship, a senior faculty position, was established by Trinity Trustee and alumnus Oliver Lee ’93 and his family. The $2-million gift to endow the position was made in honor of Mr. Lee’s mother and late father, who was a chemistry professor at the University of Kansas. The gift was in support of the East Asian Studies at Trinity program (EAST), which is one of the major initiatives of Trinity’s capital campaign, Dream. Inspire. Achieve.
“The appointment of Professor Field recognizes his major contributions to Trinity’s Chinese program through his research, teaching, and administrative work,” said Michael Fischer, vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the faculty.
Professor Field came to Trinity as an assistant professor in 1990 to create the University’s Chinese language program. He was promoted to full professor in 2000 and was made chair of the modern languages and literatures department a year later. Under his guidance, the Chinese program has been recognized by the Modern Language Association of America as a national model for successful program building. In the late 90s, Trinity’s Chinese language program was the fastest growing one in the nation.
He is a specialist in pre-Qin Chinese literature (before 221 B.C.) and is an authority on early Chinese cosmology as it pertains to the ancient art of feng shui. His best known work is Tian Wen: A Chinese Book of Origins, a translation of a 4th century B.C. poem on Chinese cosmology, myth and legend. He has just completed a second book, Ancient Chinese Divination, which explains how the art of divination, or fortune-telling, evolved in Chinese society.
In addition, Professor Field is co-director of Trinity’s EAST program, which is grooming future leaders in business, government, and science to understand and function comfortably in the global environment.
The EAST program is also strengthening Trinity’s national leadership role among American liberal arts colleges with East Asia programs. Trinity is one of only three universities in Texas presently offering an undergraduate degree in Mandarin Chinese and one of only a very few premier liberal arts universities offering it as a major.
Professor Field earned his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at the University of Texas, Austin, in 1985.
Trinity University, founded in 1869, is one of the nation’s top private undergraduate institutions. Noted for its superior academic quality, outstanding faculty, and exceptional academic and residential resources, Trinity is committed to the intellectual, civic, and professional preparation of its students.
--30--
© 2008 Trinity University