Crone receives post-secondary teaching award

Anna Lisa Crone, Professor in Slavic Languages & Literatures, was recognized at a recent meeting of the American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages with the society’s 2000 Award for Achievement in Post-Secondary Teaching.

According to the award citation, Crone “has inspired many colleagues and students not only to continue in our profession, but to hold fast to the most important aspects of what we practice: the human and spiritual side of Slavic languages and literatures, and cultures.”

Crone, who received a Quantrell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in l985 and a Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching in 2000, has taught Russian literature at the University for more than 22 years. According to Howard Aronson, Acting Chair and Professor in Slavic Languages & Literatures, during that time she has exerted a tremendously positive impact on the lives of graduate students across the department.

“Anna Lisa Crone is a wonderful scholar and teacher,” said Aronson. “From her work with Slavic Forum to her tireless involvement with dissertation committees, she has been vitally important to students in Slavic at the University for many years,” he added.

Crone said she was honored to be the recipient of national attention for her commitment to teaching. “The award means that Chicago graduate students have gone out as young professors and scholars and given me a good name,” she commented.

Crone is widely regarded for her ability to elucidate difficult Russian poetry of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. She also has written more than 50 articles and three books over the last 30 years. Her forthcoming title, The Daring of Derzhavin: The Moral and Aesthetic Independence of the Poet in Russia (Indiana University Press, 2001) deals with the influence of the poet and statesman on the institution of poetry during the era of Catherine the Great.

David Powelstock, Assistant Professor in Slavic Languages & Literatures, explained that Crone’s reputation as a scholar played a significant role in his decision to join the faculty at Chicago. “I have tremendous respect for her professionalism, dedication and remarkable range of knowledge,” he commented.

On the topic of her commitment to teaching, Powelstock added, “I don’t know anyone else who is so deeply supportive of students from the very beginning of dissertation work, all the way through the job search. She takes a very real, human interest in her students’ well being. It’s not just a talent, but testament to her generosity of spirit, which is something that I’ve been fortunate enough to experience as her colleague.”