The Program in Comparative Literature at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is proud to announce a new fellowship to support undergraduate and graduate student for language study abroad. In less than one month last spring, twenty thousand dollars were raised for this worthy goal!
The David Lenson Fellowship has been established by project managers and Comparative Literature faculty members Marisol Barbón and Jim Hicks in honor of their colleague, mentor, and friend Professor David Lenson. Professor Lenson directed the Comparative Literature Program, served as President of the Massachusetts Society of Professors, and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Review. For over four decades, he was a teacher and advisor to generations of students in Comparative Literature. His courses were legendary on the UMass campus, on subjects ranging from dystopia and utopia, the sociology of drugs, political theory and revolution, to Greek tragedy and lyric poetry.
Hicks notes that, “One lesson that David taught literally generations of students was that other worlds are possible. Those of us who study Comparative Literature know that every country is a world of its own, and every language contains its own universe. So that’s what we want to do: help Comp Lit students study language abroad. David knew it better than anyone: until you study another language, you haven’t learned your own. In these times of growing conflict and rising nationalisms, the ability to understand other cultures and build on our shared humanity is increasingly vital and urgent.”
The project managers also comment that, “It has been very moving to see David’s family, colleagues, friends, and allies come together, in his honor and in support of this cause. In just a few days we met—and then surpassed—our initial goal of ten thousand dollars, so we’ve just kept going, and we’ve already raised double that amount!”
The Lenson Fellowship will be given annually to one graduate student and one primary major in Comparative Literature to support their language study abroad. Applications for the new fellowship will be accepted beginning in Fall, 2023 and the fundraising campaign will be ongoing. Donations can be made at UMass Amherst Foundation.