TAMIU Annual Report 2019

2019 Annual Report / AWORLDOF DIFFERENCE 35 Trailblazers/ DIFFERENCE Lola O. Norris, Ph.D. , ’99 ALifetime of Loving Language. What University course would you take all over again today? All of them! But one in particular: Poetry of the Spanish Golden Age, a course I took with Dr. Ray Keck. One of the poems we studied was Góngora’s “La fábula de Polifemo y Galatea,” a very long Baroque poem. It was without a doubt the most difficult poem I have ever read. Analyzing stanza by stanza and uncovering its sophisticated metaphors, complex syntax, elaborate vocabulary, and intricate beauty was one of my most rewarding literary experiences. I still remember how challenging it was, and howmuch I loved it. Who was your favorite professor and why? Dr. Ray Keck andDr. Alfredo Supervielleweremy favorite professors. Everything I knowabout SpanishPeninsular and LatinAmerican liter- atures I learned from them. I was at awe at the depth and breadth of their knowledge, their eloquence, the easewithwhich they explained themost difficult concepts,made connections, andbrought literature to life. Theywere both very passionate and enthusiastic professorswho really challenged us to look beyond the obvious, to find the deeper meaning. They inspired me every day, and they are the reason why I am a University professor today. When did you know that your hard work had paid off and your degree hadmade a “World of Difference” for you? I lostmy husbandduringmy first semester ingraduate school.When I wanted todropout of theMaster’s programto get a full-time job and raisemy six small children,my professors persuadedme to stay and to continue withmy studies. It was very hard to work, go to school, and raise a large family as a widow. It took longer than normal to gradu- ate, but with my professors’ encouragement and support I attained my goal. I was the first student to graduate with anMA in Spanish at TAMIU (and with a 4.0) and that made me incredibly proud. What would your advice be to today’s students as they make their way through their University experience? Going toUniversity is not easy. It is not supposed tobe. But don’t ever give up. This is a time to learn, to be challenged, to travel, to expand your horizon beyond what you ever thought possible. But you have to read, read, and read some more. What’s your proudest accomplishment to date? Thanks tomy TAMIUprofessors’ motivation andmentoring, I contin- uedmy education and got a PhD in Hispanic Studies. Inmy doctoral program, I met other amazing professors who continued to nurture me and help me grow. Getting a PhD and publishing my first book were my proudest accomplishments. Tell uswhat you’redoing today career or life-wise andwhat you look forward to each day: I aman associate professor of Spanish and translation at TAMIU. I get to instill in students the same love for Spanish language, literature, and culturemy professors instilled inme. I lovemy job and every day I look forward to being in the classroomand teaching. I hope I inspire my students as much as my professors inspired me. Dr. Lola Norris is TAMIU’s first graduate to earn the collaborative Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies at Texas A&MUniversity. She is the author of “General Alonso de León’s Expeditions into Texas, 1686-1690” (Texas A&MUni- versity Press). Multilingual, she and husband Dr. James A. Norris, associate professor of political science, frequently lead TAMIU study-travel programs.