The English Department announces two new student prizes, both made possible by the generous gift of an anonymous alumni donor. Each award is named for and honors a former member of the George Mason English Department. The Robert Karlson prize provides $500 to the year's outstanding graduate student in the English Department's MA programs. The Aileen Walls prize provides $500 to an outstanding graduating English major.
Aileen Walls was a member of the English Department from 1966 to 1980. Professor Walls initiated the American Studies program at George Mason and served as its chairwoman from 1973 to 1977. Her warmth, generosity, and courage have been an inspiration to her colleagues and students.
Robert Karlson, an early member of the GMU English Department whose service spanned four decades, was an expert in the fields of American literature and, especially, spirituality and literature. His courses on altered states of consciousness, which combined meditative techniques with the close reading of mystical texts, were an inspiration to many students. A voracious reader who loved to converse about literature, religion and politics, Professor Karlson made the life of the mind both serious and fun.
December 14, 2009