Students honor Professor Olga Muñiz with night of poetry recitations

Home Culture Students honor Professor Olga Muñiz with night of poetry recitations
Students honor Professor Olga Muñiz with night of poetry recitations
Senior Will Gage recites a poem in honor of Assistant Professor of Spanish Olga Muñiz Sunday.  Madeline Fry | Collegian
Senior Will Gage recites a poem in honor of Assistant Professor of Spanish Olga Muñiz Sunday. Madeline Fry | Collegian

 

The dimly lit Heritage Room featured watercolor paintings and collections of Spanish poems by professor Olga Muñiz Sunday when three dozen students and faculty gathered to support her  through one of her favorite art forms: poetry.

Assistant Professor of Spanish Olga Muñiz, who has taught at Hillsdale for 15 years, is on medical leave this semester as she battles cancer. Lecturer in Spanish Amanda Stechschulte organized the evening of poetry recitation with the help of colleagues and Spanish students in order to encourage Muñiz.

“It’s been a rough road,” Stechschulte said. “Everybody was happy to show how much they love her.”

Because Muñiz was unable to attend, the event was recorded on video.

Over 20 students and faculty recited poetry — some in Spanish, some translated. Many were Muñiz’s own poems. Student recitations came from Spanish majors, minors, and students merely enthusiastic about Spanish, many of whom had been encouraged in their pursuit of the language by Muñiz or her husband, Associate Professor of Spanish Kevin Teegarden. A couple of Muñiz’s former students even returned to campus for the event.

Senior Shena Albaugh, a Spanish minor, expressed her admiration for Muñiz.

“She is one of the strongest women that I know,” she said.

Sophomore Anna Eby recited Muñiz’s poem “Bendiciones,” which means “blessings.”

“Dr. Muñiz has been a blessing to everyone she comes in contact with, and I wish many blessings to her,” Eby said in explanation.

Assistant Professor of English Kelly Franklin recited a Spanish poem, showing the support of the English department.

Senior Shena Albaugh read “The Keys to the Kingdom” on behalf of Provost David Whalen, who was out of town and unable to attend. He said he wanted to express his admiration for Muñiz and her dedication to poetry and learning.

“She is just masterful — not only in writing, but also in teaching,” Stechschulte said.

Stechschulte expressed her gratitude for her Spanish 493 class and faculty from all corners of campus who made the event possible.