Sad News: Prof. Lois Jaeck
Dear colleagues,
It is my extremely sad duty to write to tell you that our colleague and friend Professor Lois Jaeck passed away on July 13, following a battle with cancer.
Lois completed her undergraduate, MA, and PhD degrees at the University of British Columbia. Her PhD dissertation was in Comparative Literature – English, French, and Spanish literature and the Development of the Novel (1985). She joined the University of Saskatchewan faculty in 1988 and was a member, originally, of the Department of French and Spanish (subsequently the Department of Modern European Languages, then the Department of Modern Languages) where she served as Assistant Professor from 1988 until 1991. That year, Dr. Jaeck became a tenured Associate Professor in the department. She was Acting Head of the Department of Languages and Linguistics at various times in 1995, 2005, and for periods between 2007-2011. She was Section Head of Comparative Literature from 2000 onward, and she was Chair of the department’s Graduate Committee from 2006-2011. Dr. Jaeck was appointed as Acting Head of the Department of Art & Art History from 2011-2012.
Dr. Jaeck was known for her great service to leadership committees at the department, College, and University levels. Notably, between 2005-2012, Lois held several estimable positions: Vice-Chair of the Planning and Priorities Committee of Council; Vice-Chair of the University Plans Review Committee; Chair of the Academic Support Committee of Council; member of the Campus Wireless Project Steering Committee; member of the Coordinating Committee of Council; member of the President’s Review Committee; member of the Renewals and Tenure Appeal Committee; and member of the Student Academic Hearing and Appeals Committee. Lois’ passion for professional and social justice led her to committee work concerning the status of women, the employee assistance program, affirmative action, childcare, special admissions, and pay equity. She also worked extensively with the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association, in the areas of negotiations, grievances, and as secretary. At the College level Dr. Jaeck recently served on the Academic Programs and Standards for Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Sciences Committee and on the Steering Committee for Interdisciplinary Programs in the Humanities.
I know that Lois was highly regarded by her many students for her devotion to Spanish literature and its translation into English. She was also an internationally respected scholar of French and Spanish language and literature, and in the later stages of her career she presented at academic conferences in Nicaragua, Panama City, and Vancouver. She was an active scholar right up to the time of her passing. Lois’ community contributions were extensive: she served on the Board of Directors for the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association, and she was a long-time member and coordinator of Dance Saskatchewan. She gave dance performances with Espíritu Mediterráneo Dancers.
Lois was a vibrant scholar and spirit within the university community and beyond. She will be sorely missed.
Peter Stoicheff,
Dean and Professor,
College of Arts & Science,
University of Saskatchewan
tel. (306) 966-4232
peter.stoicheff@usask.ca
