Spanish

I was born in Isabela, Puerto Rico, and graduated from the Recinto Universitario of Mayagüez with a degree in languages. I came to the United States to do graduate studies at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, whence I received a master’s degree in Italian, a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Spanish Literature. I have done research on 16th-century Spanish poetry and published a book on the topic, La mujer en el contexto epistolar poético del Siglo de Oro español, (Woman in the Poetic Literary Context of the Spanish Golden Age). I received several grants and scholarships, including the National Hispanic, and earned awards for my poetry. I published a bilingual book, The Sparrow’s Song / El Canto del gorrión, and several of my poems have been anthologized. I also enjoy watercolors, travelling, photography, writing and illustrating children’s books, and producing bilingual academic materials for children. I am the founder and director of Entre tú y yo: ¡El español es fantástico!, a Spanish program for children. I've travelled throughout Western Europe, Central and South America, and lived in Spain and Italy. I have participated in numerous national and international conferences, and in my travels I have met well-known scholars and writers. In 1991, I moved to Hillsdale with my husband, Dr. Kevin E. Teegarden, where we reside with our nine-year-old daughter, Ariana. We are also the owners of GlobalReach Language Services, a company that offers Spanish and Italian lessons, translations, and legal interpretation services.

Poetry, in particular Renaissance and Baroque poetry of Spain and Italy, Latin American Poetry, and World Mystic Poetry.

Poetry and anything that involves creativity

Two of the students that I always keep close to my heart are Kalyn Simpson and Juliet Manto, whom I adopted since we first met. Kalyn graduated in 1995 with a degree in marketing and Spanish. After graduation, she joined the Peace Corps and served for two years in the Dominican Republic. After that, she worked in Texas helping crack babies and other neglected children, and later on in Arizona helping young adults to get back on their feet. For a number of years she worked with the Red Cross, assisting whenever and wherever disasters hit. For the last year she worked for the Red Cross with the military in Japan. On November 2, 2007, she was deployed to work with the Red Cross in Iraq. Her willingness to help others and to serve in a selfless way fills my heart with a tremendous sense of admiration and inspiration.

Juliet Manto graduated with a major in music and a minor in Spanish. She first participated in the Italian Club that I organized a few years ago and then took my honors seminar in Italian language and culture. Her interest in Italian continued to grow after this experience at Hillsdale College, and at present she is studying in Rome and will graduate in July 2008 with a master's degree in International Business. She is also working as an advisor for the St. John's University Study Abroad Program. When we met in Rome this past summer, I was quite impressed with Juliet's accomplishments and her adventurous spirit and willingness to search for new challenges, something that I always encourage my students to pursue.

I like the wide variety of academic and cultural activities, the lovely campus, and the continuous aspiration for the best in everything that is done here.

Take advantage of as many of the wonderful opportunities that this institution has to offer. Cherish the thirst for knowledge and make the most of your time here. Do not waste your time, work hard, and you will have no regrets later in life.

I admire their desire to serve and help others, their multiple talents, and the faith that nurtures their spirits.

olga.muniz@hillsdale.edu