Languages, Linguistics and Literature recognizes four retiring faculty

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Karin Mackenzie, (808) 956-4051
Arts and Sciences Community and Alumni Relations
Posted: May 28, 2014

Marie-Jose Fassiotto
Marie-Jose Fassiotto
Judith Kellogg
Judith Kellogg
Misako Steverson
Misako Steverson

Languages, Linguistics and Literature Dean Robert Bley-Vroman has announced the academic year 2013-2014 retirements of long-serving faculty members Marie-Jose Fassiotto, Judith Kellogg, Nobuko Ochner and Misako Steverson.  Remarkably, their combined service to the college spans nearly 140 years.

“Marie-Jose, Judith, Nobuko and Misako have contributed greatly to their departments, the college and university, and especially, their disciplines,” said Bley-Vroman.  “Languages, Linguistics and Literature has a stellar reputation in the fields they represent. Without a doubt, they played an influential role in the status that we enjoy today. Their experience, expertise, leadership and kindness will be missed by colleagues and students alike.  I extend to them my heartfelt gratitude and heartiest congratulations for a career well done.”

Dr. Marie-Jose Fassiotto (French) received her BA from San Francisco State University, MA from University of Hawaiʻi, and PhD from University of California at Berkeley.  She specialized in 18th century French literature and 19th century French poetry.  Fassiotto received the UH Regents’ Award for Excellence in Teaching (among numerous other accolades), indicative of her extraordinarily high standards and abilities.  Fassiotto joined LLL in 1974.

Dr. Judith Kellogg (English) taught at Mānoa since receiving her PhD in Comparative Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of California at Berkeley in 1979. Her literary interests focused on classical and medieval text. She is also founding president of Children’s Literature Hawaiʻi.  Kellogg earned the Regents’ Award for Excellence and the college’s Excellence in Teaching Award, along with many forms of recognition she received throughout her academic career.  Kellogg joined LLL in 1978.

Dr. Nobuko Ochner (Japanese) received a BA from Tokyo University of Education and went on to receive two MAs (English and Japanese) and a PhD (Japanese) from UH Mānoa.  In addition to teaching and advising graduate students for over 30 years, she served in many administrative capacities for the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures.  Ochner is also an accomplished writer and skilled translator.  Ochner joined LLL in 1971.

Ms. Misako Steverson (Japanese) was a dedicated and beloved instructor. She related to students and provided guidance and encouragement. She consistently received high praise for her teaching. She was one of the creators of a popular course, “Oral Fluency through Film,” and taught it regularly throughout her career.  In 1999 she helped to establish the annual Japanese poetry contest. Steverson, herself, is a talented and published waka [Japanese poetry] poet. She joined LLL in 1996.

The College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature (one of the four Arts and Sciences colleges) of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a broad curriculum in English, foreign and heritage languages and literatures, second language studies, and linguistics.  Its Asia and Pacific focused curricula is unique in the nation.  The faculty regularly teaches more than 25 languages, and has the capacity to teach many more.