Faculty Spotlight | LLC | Western Washington University

Hugo Garcia, PhD

Hugo Garcia wearing a suit and tie and standing in front of a bookcase

Professor Hugo García published the essay "Cuba and/or the night" in Hypermedia Magazine. The essay was selected to be part of the dossier entitled "#SOS Cuba" that Hypermedia Magazine created from a selection of approaches of different Cuban intellectuals and artists who explain the latest events in Cuba from different perspectives.

He also published a book chapter titled "From Havana Back to the Source: The Decaying City as a Character in the Films of the Cuban Revolution." (pp. 216-238) in the book War, Revolution, and Remembrance in World Cinema. Critical Essays, edited by Prof. Nancy Membrez (Univ. of Texas, San Antonio).

Shannon Dubenion-Smith, PhD

Chair and German Associate Professor Shannon Dubenion-Smith standing outside a brick building.

Congratulations to MCL Chair and German Associate Professor Shannon Dubenion-Smith on receiving the Goethe-Institut/AATG Certificate of Merit! This award honors those who have demonstrated achievement in furthering the teaching of German in the U.S. by being outstanding teachers, making significant contributions to the profession, and demonstrating successful interdisciplinary cooperation. Read the full story in Western Today.

Joan Hoffman, PhD

Joan Hoffman sits at a desk, in an office

Dr. Joan Hoffman, professor of Spanish, published a new article: "'Una señorita de Figueras' with a 'temple verdaderamente varonil': Ángel Guerra and the Tortured Marketing of Víctor Català." Espacios de encuentro e identidad: Actas del XXXV Congreso Internacional de ALDEEU (Spanish Professionals in America) [Selected Proceedings], 2019, pp. 241-55.

Christina Keppie, PhD

Dr. Christina Keppie stands against a glass wall outside during the spring.

Dr. Christina Keppie, professor of French and linguistics, has been named director of the Canadian-American Studies program at Western Washington University. Read more about the promotion.

Sandra Alfers, PhD

Dr. Sandra Alfers stand outside in the sun in front of a large cedar tree.

Sandra Alfers, Professor of German and Director of the Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity, has recently been elected to a four-year term on the Executive Council of the Consortium of Higher Education Centers for Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies. According to the organization’s website (https://consortiumhgh.org), the Consortium “is a nonprofit organization that endeavors to be the primary assembly and professional organization of center directors committed to securing, integrating, and advancing Holocaust, genocide, and human rights education on U.S. college campuses.” Congratulations, Prof. Alfers, on this honor, and thank you very much for your service at Western and in the national arena!

In Memoriam: Shaw Gynan

Dr. Gynan poses with Dr. Ernesto Luis Lopez Almada of the Universidad Nacional de Itapua and the Universidad Catolica de Encarnacion after a talk they gave at Western in January 2019.

In October 2020, we lost a dear former colleague, Professor Emeritus Shaw Gynan. Prof. Gynan taught Spanish, linguistics, and world language pedagogy courses during his 32-year tenure at Western. We are deeply saddened by his passing and will remember him fondly for his intelligence, wit, and his convivial and generous spirit. Read Prof. Gynan's obituary and share memories.

A gift in Prof. Gynan's honor may be made to the Shaw Gynan Memorial Scholarship.

Noémi Ban

Holocaust survivor Noémi Ban, community educator and outspoken fixture on Western’s campus for years, dies at age 96. Read more about Noémi's life and enduring message.