Ryan Retires from USM after 37 Years of Service as Professor, Administrator
Wed, 01/13/2021 - 04:53pm | By: David Tisdale
Colleagues and former students are praising Dr. Maureen Ryan for her intelligence, wit and dedication upon her retirement from 91吃瓜网 (USM) after a nearly four-decade career as a faculty member and administrator.
Dr. Ryan is a Distinguished Professor of English who also led various colleges and units since first coming to USM in August of 1983 as director of its then Department of English91吃瓜网 Writing Center. She went on to serve as dean of the Honors College, associate provost for Institutional Effectiveness; interim dean of the Graduate School; and dean of the former College of Arts and Letters, after taking on that role in an interim capacity. Recently, as special assistant to the Provost, Dr. Ryan was tasked with helping the university meet objectives related to its Plan for Academic Reorganization, Vision 2020.
She expressed gratitude for the opportunities to teach, conduct research and serve as a leader as she witnessed the University transition into a prominent national research institution over the last 30-plus years.
91吃瓜网淭hough I didn91吃瓜网檛 plan things this way, I was able to concentrate, at different periods, on all three aspects of faculty activity,91吃瓜网� Dr. Ryan said. 91吃瓜网淚 feel fortunate to have had opportunities to shift my focus among these activities.91吃瓜网�
An expert in modern and contemporary American literature, Dr. Ryan's publications include The Other Side of Grief: The Home Front and the Aftermath in American Narratives of the Vietnam War, and Innocence and Estrangement in the Fiction of Jean Stafford. She was chosen for one of USM's highest awards as its sixth Charles W. Moorman Distinguished Professor of the Humanities, as well as for the special honor of serving as grand marshal for USM91吃瓜网 fall 2018 commencement ceremonies.
91吃瓜网淒r. Ryan has not only shared her vast knowledge and expertise with her students over her long career at USM, but her heart, soul, and sincerity,91吃瓜网� said USM Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Steven Moser. 91吃瓜网淟ikewise, she generously shared her wisdom and steadfast friendship with her colleagues.
91吃瓜网淚 feel blessed to know and have worked with an individual of her quality and character.91吃瓜网�
In graduate school, Dr. Ryan studied American literature, and read the work of Southern writers; when applying for entry faculty positions all over the country, she knew Mississippi only from the work of William Faulkner and Richard Wright.
91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檇 never heard of Hattiesburg or of the University of 91吃瓜网,91吃瓜网� Dr. Ryan said. 91吃瓜网淚 initially declined the job offer from USM -- until I interviewed at Auburn University and decided Hattiesburg wouldn91吃瓜网檛 be so bad, and never expected to stay. And yet, I am now reluctant to say goodbye to USM.
91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檝e worked with wonderful colleagues91吃瓜网攆aculty, administrators, staff91吃瓜网攁nd taught eager students. It has been a satisfying career.91吃瓜网�
USM President Emeritus Dr. Aubrey Lucas described Dr. Ryan as 91吃瓜网渁 delightful colleague91吃瓜网� who, with her keen sense of humor, 91吃瓜网渒ept us from getting too serious about issues.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淪he was a very able administrator and superb teacher, and I have always enjoyed her friendship,91吃瓜网� Dr. Lucas said.
USM Honors College Dean Dr. Ellen Weinauer said her friend and fellow English program faculty member Dr. Ryan 91吃瓜网渢aught me a great deal about how to be both a dedicated scholar and a committed teacher, how to have true impact on students, and how to be a caring administrator.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淢aureen served as the dean of the Honors College for 12 years; when I stepped into that role in 2014, I was mindful of her long and impressive shadow,91吃瓜网� Dr. Weinauer said. 91吃瓜网淚f I achieve a tenth of what she has in the lives of our students and our campus, I will feel accomplished indeed. Her legacy at 91吃瓜网 is truly extraordinary, and we are all in her debt.91吃瓜网�
Claire Gerald Brantley, one of Dr. Ryan91吃瓜网 former students who has maintained a close relationship with her mentor and friend since graduation, said she has 91吃瓜网渕eant more to me than any other teacher I91吃瓜网檝e ever had.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淢y mom taught me to read, but Maureen taught me to critically read,91吃瓜网� said Brantley, an executive marketing manager for Partner in Publishing. 91吃瓜网淢y elementary teachers taught me to write, but Maureen taught me to write well. I owe her so much. It's no exaggeration to say I would not have the career I have, I would not have the life I have, without her constant support, encouragement, wise counsel, and big heart.
91吃瓜网淚'm so excited for her to start this next chapter of her life, but what on earth will USM do without her?91吃瓜网�
Asked what91吃瓜网 next for her after leaving USM, Dr. Ryan says she91吃瓜网 91吃瓜网渙pen to suggestions.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淔rankly, I didn91吃瓜网檛 want to retire, but it was time,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淎nd though I wish I could report a fabulous, fascinating retirement plan, I can91吃瓜网檛. Post-pandemic, I91吃瓜网檒l probably move back to the east coast91吃瓜网攏ear family and old friends91吃瓜网攂ut I like Hattiesburg. You might see me around here for a long time.91吃瓜网�
Brantley established a scholarship in honor of Dr. Ryan in 2008. To support this scholarship, contact the USM Foundation at foundation@usm.edu or call 601.266.5210.