By Donna Kettenbach
May 18, 2001
Articulate, intelligent, well- versed, open, eager, multi- lingual, upbeat.
 Rebecka Rutledge has taught both comparative literature and African and Afro-American studies courses in Arts & Sciences at the Univeristy. Her research interests include Francophone Caribbean literature, African-American literature, nationalism, literary theory and cultural studies. |
These are just a few words to describe Rebecka Rychelle Rutledge --a Chancellor's Fellow completing her seven-year stay at the University by earning a doctorate in comparative literature from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
"It's been great being at Washington University," Rutledge said."I've had nothing but positive experiences here. That may sound like a clichˇ, but it's not. I have a great appreciation for the University and am grateful to have benefited from the chancellor's fellowship."
Rutledge has all the earmarks of a fine professor and is eager to begin as assistant professor of English at Miami University in Ohio this August.
But before the Cincinnati native returns to Ohio, she will spend part of the summer exploring France's national archives, researching the role of activist and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois in Paris' 1900 World's Fair.
She is fluent in French after earning a bachelor's degree in it from Ohio University. Rutledge's combined love for literature, travel and French has allowed her to study abroad during her academic career to France, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
As such, her research interests include Francophone Caribbean literature, African-American literature, nationalism, literary theory and cultural studies. She has taught both comparative literature and African and Afro-American studies courses in Arts & Sciences here.
"Teaching comparative literature does just that --it compares literature across various lines --national, ethnic, gender, etc.," Rutledge explained.
When not researching or teaching, she has contributed to the University in other ways. Rutledge has served as a member of the minority faculty recruitment committee, a volunteer recruiter for the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, a member of the Graduate Student Senate and an executive committee member of the graduate council. An active member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, she co-chaired the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter's political awareness and involvement committee and organized its 2000 political forum.
Apart from her academic life, Rutledge has volunteered as a tutor for St. Louis YMCA "Yread" Program, a deputy registrar for the Missouri Board of Voter Registration and for Easter Seals. She also has worked as a language consultant for the Orthwein Theatre Company production of "Shooting Simone" and as an interpreter for Dance St. Louis/Vaughn Cultural Center's hosting of the National Ballet of Senegal.
Rutledge came to the University after applying and being accepted to a number of other schools.
"I visited here and met with Gerald Early and this seemed the right place to be," she said. "And the fellowship helped!"
Early, Ph.D., the Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters in Arts & Sciences, became Rutledge's adviser and mentor.
"Rebecka's worked very hard and is a very capable and intelligent woman, and I feel lucky that I've known her over these past several years," Early said. "I've learned a lot from Rebecka --about teaching, relating better to students and realizing what students' work means to them. She's going to be a great professor. "
As a student, Rutledge knows how important it is to have freedom to explore those subjects that allure you. Her studies here took an interdisciplinary approach.
"I've been fortunate that comparative literature lets me do my work," she said. "I feel very lucky --I think I've led somewhat of a charmed life here at Washington University."
She received a number of job offers but decided on Miami, in part because its English department is willing to accept her as a comparatist. And, her entire family is just a half-hour away.
As far as long-range plans, Rutledge hopes to be doing something, "fabulous and fun --and I would love to publish a novel someday." But for now, she is focusing on the present.
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