Joyce Thomas Named Professor Emeritus
Castleton University is delighted to announce that former professor, Dr. Joyce Thomas, has been named Professor Emeritus. The Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees awards this status – the highest academic rank – every year. The honor is awarded to select faculty members who have had a long and distinguished career at their respective schools, and a yearning for furthering the knowledge of students.
Thomas earned her bachelor’s degree at Shepherd College and continued her education at West Virginia University for her master's degree. She completed her doctorate at SUNY Albany.
She started her career at Castleton in 1980 and has been dedicated to her students and teaching from the start. She has accomplished more than just academic excellence among her students while teaching. Some of the classes she has taught include Lyric Poetry, Folk Tales, Art of Children's Book Illustration, Greek Tragedy, Epic Poetry, Native Literature, and Shakespeare's Tragedies. She was also named a Vermont State Colleges System Faculty Fellow.
Thomas had dedicated time to creating the Women’s Studies minor as well. The minor has opened doors to students who are dedicated to another major, but have interest in the academic program. In addition to the minor, she created two English Literature surveys, West Mythology, and Art of Children’s Book Illustration for the English curriculum.
Because of her dedication to her craft and effort to make students passionate about English Literature and Women’s Studies, she has made an impact on the Castleton campus.
Outside of her work at Castleton, she has written a study on the fairy tale,“Inside the Wolf’s Belly,” and a collection of poetry titled “Skins.” She has also authored various articles that have been featured in journals such as Blueline and American Review.
Thomas will be recognized for her accomplishments at the VSCS Board of Trustees Meeting at Castleton University in June.