Dr. Ian Munro, professor of English at William Jewell College, will present "Re-imagining communities and geographies: World Literature in the 21st Century" on Wednesday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gill Family Meeting Room of the Yates-Gill College Union. A reception will follow. The public is invited at no charge. Dr. Munro is the 17th recipient of the Carl F. Willard Distinguished Teacher Award.

In his more than four decades of teaching and researching world literature both in the United States and abroad, Dr. Munro has observed that the field has moved from a predominant focus on European works to an ambitious effort to comprehend literatures of the world. In his presentation, he discusses the possibility that this effort has lost focus and purpose even as the importance in promoting intercultural understanding becomes more apparent.

Carl F. Willard, a trustee of the college from 1967 to 1991, led in establishing nationally recognized programs of faculty accountability and support, enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in a school known for excellence. In recognition of his contributions, friends and family members established The Carl F. Willard Distinguished Teacher Award. Each year faculty members are nominated for this award by a committee of peers. The president and the dean of the college make the final decision.

William Jewell College is committed to bringing together talented students and gifted faculty mentors within a vibrant community sparked by a rigorous and intentional liberal arts curriculum. A full range of personal and professional development experiences are presented by the selective national liberal arts college's location within the Kansas City metroplex of 1.5 million.

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