News & Events
Merle E. Simmons Distinguished Alumni (MESDA) Lecture
The Merle E. Simmons Distinguished Alumni (MESDA) Lecture series was initiated in 1996 to honor Professor Emeritus Merle E. Simmons for his contributions to the department and university. Each year, a distinguished alumna or alumnus is invited to visit Bloomington, present a lecture and reconnect with his/her roots.
The MESDA lecture is one of the department's premier events and has proven to facilitate our missions by encouraging mentorship, recognizing scholarship and uniting with alumni and friends.
Previous MESDA Lecturers, with their affiliation at the time of the lecture:
| 2012-13 | Ph.D. 1973 | Indiana University | |
| 2011-12 | Ph.D. 1978 | University of Arizona at Tucson | |
| Janet Dudley-Eshbach | 2010-11 | Ph.D. 1978 B.A. 1974 |
Salisbury University |
| Philip D. Rasico | 2009-10 | Ph.D. 1981 M.A. 1975 |
Vanderbilt University |
| Frances Aparicio | 2008-09 | B.A. 1978 | University of Illinois at Chicago |
| Michael A. Schnepf | 2007-08 | Ph.D. 1985 | University of Alabama |
| Marjorie Agosín | 2006-07 | Ph.D. 1982 M.A. 1977 |
Wellesley College |
| Eduardo González | 2005-06 | Ph.D. 1975 | Johns Hopkins University |
| Patricia Lunn | 2004-05 | Ph.D. 1984 | Michigan State University |
| Candyce Leonard | 2003-04 | Ph.D. 1992 | Wake Forest University |
| Janet DeCesaris | 2002-03 | Ph.D. 1988 M.A. 1979 |
Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona |
| Margaret Persin | 2001-02 | Ph.D. 1977 M.A. 1972 |
Rutgers University |
| Norma Alarcón | 2000-01 | Ph.D. 1983 M.A. 1972 B.A. 1970 |
University of California-Berkeley |
| Roberto González Echevarría | 1999-00 | M.A. 1966 | Yale University |
| Cristina González | 1998-99 | Ph.D. 1981 M.A. 1978 |
University of California-Davis |
| Margarita Suñer | 1997-98 | Ph.D. 1973 M.A. 1970 |
Cornell University |
| Julie Greer Johnson | 1996-97 | Ph.D. 1975 M.A. 1970 |
University of Georgia |
