20
TOWER
|
Summer 2014
BACK TO CLASS WITH ...
DR. ELAINEREED
BY:
MELISSA
NURCZYNSKI
PHOTOGRAPHYBY:
KATHYWEST
DR. ELAINEREED, formidable and outspoken professor
of English and professional writing, remembers walking
from north campus to the SouthDiningHall withDr. Bob
Martin andDr. Richard Courtney on a particularly cold
and blustery day. Suddenly, she experienced a sockmalfunc-
tion; a piece of elastic in her trouser sock had failed.
Reed could only walk about 10 steps before her bare
skin became exposed to the bitter bite of winter.The
gallant geography professors allowed her to lean on them in
turns, as she hopped toward their destination.Once the trio
of professors arrived at the warm dining hall, a helpful food
service staffer brought them duct tape.
“Bob helpedme tape the top of each sock to my calf under
the table, while Richard convulsed with laughter,” she
recalled. “The trip back to north campus went very quickly.”
The memory, one of Reed’s fondest of her time at
Kutztown, symbolizes what is best about
KU.Things can and do gowrong, but it’s the
spirit of camaraderie, not to mention the
willingness of faculty and staff to creatively
solve problems, that helps make the com-
munity special.
Reed refuses to name a favorite student,
insisting that she remembers most of her
students fondly. However, she cites the
learning community – a program that allowed
professional writingmajors to create a cohort through shared
classes and weekly meetings – as something that really
helped her get to know students as individuals.
“Organizing the learning community paid off,” she said.
“The professional writingmajors were able to begin devel-
oping relationships with each other from day one.They
developed an esprit de corps that was contagious.”
Her students are quick to praise her dedication as a
teacher, as well as her strong personality, noting that she
had a reputation as a “firecracker.” Although she was
known for her toughness,many professional writing gradu-
ates cite Reed as one of their favorite teachers precisely
because she was tough, but always willing to help students
whomade an effort to learn.MATTHEWREICHL ’07
remembers Reed as someone who made a strong impact
on him both personally and professionally.
“I wouldn’t be where I am, or have half of my profession-
al knowledge, if it wasn’t for Dr. Reed,”he said. “During
my time at Kutztown, she was challenging, but fair. I
always looked forward to takingmore classes with her
as I progressed through my college experience.”
Reed helped shape the professional writingmajor,
something which she remains proud of, given the innova-
tive nature of the program and its practical approach
toward teaching diverse types of writing.
“Our programwas unique because we chose to blend
many forms of writing, rather than just focus on journal-
ism or creative writingmodels,” she explained. “A student
who excelled needed to master the basics of several
genres and then demonstrate where and when to use
the best of them in their writing; other local colleges then
copied the program.”
Reed also spent time as director of theWomen’s
Center, an institution that she believes does critical
work on campus.
“I look back withmuch pride at who we brought to
campus and what opportunities
we gave to students, faculty and staff to
champion issues, such as gender equity
and reducing campus domestic violence,”
she said. “The current director,GRACE
HILL ’96M’99, deserves a great deal of
credit. She has continued to bring excellent
programming to campus through her
work in theWomen’s Center and in the
GLBTQCenter.”
Withmore than 20 years of experience at KU behind
her, Reed has some wisdom to impart as the campus
moves forward.
“My advice would be for everyone,” she said. “Respect
others’ points of view and then research what shaped
them; continue shared governance; find ways to
support why something should be done, rather than the
easier path of why it can’t be done; and realize that a
fleeting interaction can have enduring consequences.”
Now living inNorthCarolina with her family, Reed
still misses the loveliness of Kuztown’s campus.Whether
it’s the stateliness of OldMain, the beauty and whimsy of
the fountain steps or just the copious green space, she knows
that KU’s campus is a boon to faculty, staff and students.
“I miss the grounds of the campus the most,” she con-
fessed. “The late Ron Yoder and the Facilities Department
laid the groundwork for what the KU community gets to
enjoy every day now.Whenever I surveyed freshmen for
the reasons they chose KU, the topic of campus beauty
always had the greatest number of comments.”
“Realize that
a fleeting
interaction can
have enduring
consequences.”
—DR. ELAINE REED
