Wendy Hesford submits resignation

CFC and EXWR Dept. to search for replacement

The resignation of Visiting Assistant Professor of Expository Writing and English Wendy Hesford will be effective at the end of the year, according to Professor and Director of the Expository Writing Program Leonard Podis.

Despite recommendations from the Educational Plans and Policies Committee (EPPC), the College Faculty Council (CFC) on Feb. 22 rejected a third tenure track position that would have been available to Hesford. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Mary Ella Feinleib said that CFC made the decision because it wanted to see all the position requests that came in later on this year. CFC was aware that Hesford had been offered a job at Indiana University, but decided that it would not make an early decision.

Hesford has made no comment about the resignation, or about whether she has accepted the job teaching in the English department at Indiana University.

"It's a wonderful position she's been offered. We're happy that she was selected for such a great job in Indiana," Podis said. "Of course, we are unhappy to lose her, and it's a loss for us and for the students."

Professor of Expository Writing and English Jan Cooper said, "I am profoundly sorry to have lost her as a colleague and teacher at Oberlin College. I wish her the best at Indiana and Indiana is lucky to get her."

The tenure track position that was unavailable to the expository writing program poses questions for the future direction of the Expository Writing Program. Podis said,"It creates a problem of continuity for our program." According to Podis, the Expository Writing Program has requested guidance from CFC concerning the open position next year. CFC must authorize a position, whether it is temporary or tenure track, before the Expository Writing Program can begin a job search. The Expository Writing Program is presently waiting for a response from CFC.