July 09, 2009

Critically Acclaimed Author Named New Jenks Chair at Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. – Critically acclaimed Author Leah Hager Cohen has been named the new William H.P. Jenks Chair in Contemporary American Letters at the College of the Holy Cross. In addition to teaching duties in the English Department, she will work to bring other authors to campus for readings and lectures. Cohen succeeds Bill Roorbach, author of numerous novels including Temple Stream: A Rural Odyssey (2006), The Smallest Color (2002), and Big Bend: Stories (2001), who held the post since 2004.

“What appeals to me particularly about Holy Cross is the way it seems to treat the notion of service as an integral part of scholarly pursuit,” says New York native Cohen, who will officially begin her new role at the beginning of the 2009-10 academic year.  
 
Cohen is the author of four works of creative non-fiction including Without Apology: Girls, Women, and the Desire to Fight (Random House, 2005) and The Stuff of Dreams: Behind the Scenes of an American Community Theater (Viking, 2001); and three novels including her most recent House Lights (W.W. Norton, 2007), Heart, You Bully, You Punk (Viking, 2003) and Heat Lightning (Avon, 1997). She has written numerous articles for publications such as The New York Times and The New York Times Book Review. Four of Cohen’s works have been awarded Notable Book citations by The New York Times and she received similar recognition from the American Library Association and The Toronto Globe and Mail.

Cohen earned her B.A. in creative writing from Hampshire College and her M.S. in journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She has taught at numerous institutions including Emerson College, Lesley University, and Boston University.

She is currently working on her fourth novel titled, The Grief of Others.  She resides in Belmont with her three children.  

Established in 1988, the Jenks Chair is named in honor of William H.P. Jenks '54 who had to leave the College in 1951, during his sophomore year, when a bout with polio left him a quadriplegic. Jenks remained devoted both to Holy Cross and his class, serving as class secretary for more than 25 years. In 1979, the College granted him an honorary degree. In 1988, an anonymous donor made a gift in his name, contributing $1 million to endow a professorship in the English department. Jenks died the following year on Christmas Day.

The first Jenks Chair was held jointly by husband and wife writers, Justin Kaplan and Anne Bernays, from 1993-95. Christopher Merrill held the position from 1995-99. The position is an initial appointment of two years, and may be extended up to five years.

For additional information contact Cristal Steuer at 508.793.2419