Martin Awarded Fulbright; Named Emmanuel’s Next Wyant Professor
January 04, 2010
Emmanuel Professor of Political Science Dr. Lenore Martin will travel to Turkey during the spring 2010 semester as a Senior Research Fulbright Scholar. She will leave in February to conduct ongoing research for a book on Turkey and the Middle East. Upon her return, she will continue her recent appointment as the new Louise Doherty Wyant Professor at Emmanuel College.
Dr. Martin will be at Middle East Technical University (METU) located in the capital city, Ankara. She previously conducted research at METU in 2006 as part of a Senior Fulbright Specialist grant, helping to develop a Middle East program at the university. The current award marks her third Fulbright grant and her longest-scheduled visit since she began traveling to the country in 1994.
"I'm very excited about the coming semester," said Dr. Martin. "I've done some writing and a lot of thinking on this subject. To go to Turkey and concentrate on my research and writing is a privilege. I am very thankful, not only to the Fulbright Commission, but to Emmanuel College for encouraging me to take full advantage of this opportunity."
Dr. Martin is one of approximately 1,250 U.S. college and university faculty and professionals to receive a Fulbright grant to teach and/or conduct research abroad this year. A preeminent scholar in Middle Eastern studies, she has been a member of Emmanuel's faculty since 1973. In addition, Dr. Martin is a Research Associate of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies and an Associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs both at Harvard University, where she co-chairs the Middle East Seminar and the Seminar on Turkey in the Modern World.
While in Turkey, Dr. Martin will have a number of speaking engagements, having already been contacted by Turkish universities, the U.S. Embassy, and the Fulbright Commission. She hopes to also travel to Syria and Israel as part of her research.
In addition to aiding her scholarly work, her research in Turkey represents one of her first activities as the new Wyant Professor. The first endowed professorship in the College's history, the Louise Doherty Wyant Professorship at Emmanuel College was established by the late Louise Doherty Wyant '63 and her husband, Dr. James Wyant, to be held in the humanities, history and the arts, and in honor of Sister Anne Cyril Delaney, SND. Sister Anne Cyril was a Professor of English at Emmanuel for 26 years. Dr. Martin will serve a three-year term through the summer of 2012.
"This appointment recognizes Dr. Martin's notable contributions to the College, to scholarship, and to the academic community," said Emmanuel College President Sister Janet Eisner, SND. "Dr. Martin is known by her students and colleagues for the high quality of her teaching, her leadership and service on College committees, her engagement in developing a number of College-wide academic initiatives, and for promoting the future success and career aspirations of students. It is most fitting that she now serves as our Wyant Professor."
Dr. Martin's initial thoughts for the professorship include building the 2010-2011 Wyant Lecture Series around the theme of "peace," which she hopes will allow for contributions from many disciplines. She will teach one course per semester during her appointment, "The Contemporary Middle East: Challenges and Promise" in the fall 2010 and " Strategies of War and Peace" for spring 2011 - courses she says pair beautifully with her current research.
"The timing of the appointment is perfect. I will be returning from Turkey after immersion in a totally different culture. I should have a great deal to share with my colleagues and students," she said of her recent appointment as Wyant Professor. "It is a true honor to follow in the footsteps of such a strong academic as Professor Emeritus Patricia Herlihy. I have big shoes to fill, but I am looking forward to the opportunity."
