Faculty and students in the School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics—and across campus—are celebrating the life and work of two late faculty members.

This spring, the Department of Spanish & Portuguese and the Program in Jewish Culture & Society hosted a tribute to Dara Goldman, professor of Spanish and director of the Program in Jewish Culture & Society, following her passing last year.

Friends and colleagues from various units attended the event, which consisted of the dedication of the Dara E. Goldman Collection in the Spanish & Portuguese Departmental Library—standing room only—and a lecture by author Achy Obejas.

The turnout is just one example of the immense impact Goldman had on campus.

“Dara had a dizzying array of affiliations with other units,” said Melissa Bowles, head of the Department of Spanish & Portuguese. “Dara was officially 100 percent Spanish & Portuguese, and officially zero percent in her other affiliated units. Even though those were zero percent appointments, she gave 100 percent of herself in everything she did.”

Dozens of people shared memories of Goldman during and ahead of the event, either in-person, via Zoom, or via written statements. It was an outpouring of love for the late professor, with common threads like a shared appreciation for Goldman’s warmth and friendship tying the speakers together, and it was both melancholy and joyful.

“I do not want to remember Dara with sadness, because Dara was joy,” said Elena Delgado, professor of Spanish. “Dara was the most joyful person I’ve ever met. She brought joy to everybody who met her. Even in the most difficult circumstances, she tried to find something positive, something to look forward to, and something to celebrate.”

Delgado said having a space dedicated to Goldman’s memory is invaluable.

“[The fact] that we now have this place for her, dedicated to her and her memory, to her beautiful spirit, to her intellect, [is so] special,” said Delgado. “She may not be here in person, but her name and her memory will always be here with us, and in that room.”

This fall, the Department of Religion and the Program in Jewish Culture & Society hosted an international conference honoring Bruce Rosenstock, professor of religion and director of graduate studies in the Department of Religion.

Rosenstock, who was known for his energetic and serious commitment to faculty issues and his active involvement in the mentoring of students within his department, passed away in January.

The conference celebrating his life and career took place on October 2, with a welcome dinner on October 1. It was titled, "Transfinite Life: A Symposium in Honor of Bruce Rosenstock."

Dania De La Hoya Rojas

Editor's note: This story first appeared in the School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics Fall 2023 newsletter.