Oakes named Director of Writing Programs

Furman University English professor Dr. Margaret J. Oakes has been appointed Director of Writing Programs.

Beginning May 2016 Oakes will be responsible for activities associated with the support of writing throughout the academic program. The post includes oversight of writing initiatives in the university’s Writing and Media Lab, First Year Writing Seminars, and development of programs and resources in support of writing for both faculty and students.

The appointment rounds out Furman’s integration of the Writing and Media Lab into the Center for Academic Success (CAS) at the university.

Says Furman Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. John Beckford, “I look forward to the leadership Dr. Oakes will bring to this critical area of instruction and support at Furman.”

Joining the Furman faculty in 1996, Oakes holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University and a J.D. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

An author of numerous scholarly articles and essays, she teaches early modern literature and humanities courses. Her specialty is 16th and 17th century British poetry, and the religious poetry of John Donne and George Herbert. Oakes’ research interests are Milton, Shakespeare, Margaret Cavendish, 17th century book frontispiece portraits, early modern humanist education, the history of scientific writing, Reformation theology, British detective fiction, and children’s fantasy literature.

Oakes is faculty advisor for English honor society Sigma Tau Delta, and has served as coach for Furman’s award-winning Mock Trial program.

She has received the Furman Meritorious Advising Award (2002), Faculty Member of the Year by the Association of Furman Students (2006), Sigma Tau Delta Outstanding Advisor (2006), and was listed among Princeton Review’s “300 best professors in the United States” (2012).

In Sept. 2015, Oakes received the Jerry G. Gaff Award for Faculty Excellence in General and Liberal Education, a major award from the Association for General and Liberal Studies (AGLS) which recognizes outstanding teaching and innovative leadership.

For more information, contact the Furman News and Media Relations Office at 864.294.3107.