Caitlin Duerler, instructor of French at Lamar University, has been selected to receive the Phi Kappa Phi “Love of Learning Award.” 

She will use the grant to fund her beginning Spanish language class and cost of travel to Mexico City August 6-13 where she will visit an exhibition of work by writer and artist Leonora Carrington at the Museo Arte Moderno.  

Visiting this exhibition will aid her scholarship on medieval influences in the art and literature of Leonora Carrington which she will present on a panel discussion on “Race and Gender in 20th- Century Literature” at the annual South Central Modern Language Association conference in San Antonio this October. The research will also aid in her master’s studies at the University of Houston beginning Fall 2018. 

“We are very excited and proud of Caitlin's Love of Learning Award being granted as this is our first year as a university to have recipients. We are very proud for Caitlin and congratulate her on receiving this support for her study,” said Teresa Simpson, president of LU’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter that was founded in 1965. Simpson is special assistant to the dean of the College of Education and Human Development in the areas of student recruitment, retention and success, and is also a clinical instructor of educational leadership. 

Simpson said, “As a chapter, we are working diligently to provide awareness, development for the various opportunities for our members that include students, faculty and staff of Lamar University as they advance in the ‘Love of Learning’ as to advance our students, professionals and scholar Cardinals.”  

“Many of the early 20th-century émigré/expatriate artists and writers that I am interested in spent significant time living and working in important cultural hubs such as London and Paris. However, as World War II became more imminent, many of these cultural figures in danger of persecution because of religious/ethnic affiliations or political ties left Europe for America and moved to places like New York City and Mexico City,” said Duerler.  

“This fall, I am starting my masters in Art History and my coursework and thesis will continue to focus on early 20th-century émigré artists and will utilize some of the research I am collecting for my conference paper,” said Duerler.  

Duerler’s long-term goals are to complete a doctoral dissertation regarding the historical significance of 20th-century expatriate artists and writers and transatlantic influences from Paris, New York and Mexico City. 

“I am very proud to represent my college and department in sharing LU’s excellent reputation for producing world-class research,” Duerler said.  

“The College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of English and Modern Languages have supported travel funding for several of my past conferences and have always encouraged their faculty to present their research and represent our university on the national level,” said Duerler. “While the stipend provided through Phi Kappa Phi will support travel, it also recognizes my past achievements and service to the profession and it is an honor to be recognized alongside a national cohort of faculty as well as the other LU faculty member who received the award.” 

Duerler holds a bachelor’s degree in modern languages from Lamar University and a master’s degree in Modern French Studies from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. She has been an instructor of French at LU since 2015.  

She also serves as co-organizer for International Education Week, founder and organizer of International Film Week for Lamar University. Duerler also serves as Chapter Epsilon Iota Moderator for the Phi Delta Phi chapter of French National Honor Society.  

Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective multidisciplinary honor society that initiates more than 30,000 members a year on 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. More than 1.5 million members have joined the society since it was founded in 1897.