Faculty and Staff Notes

Oberlin Alumni Magazine editor Annie Zaleski published a new book, Dolly Parton: The Stories Behind the Songs, on August 11. As the title states, it’s a deep dive into the country icon’s storied career. This is Zaleski’s second book of 2026: In May, she published Stevie Nicks in 50 Songs, about the legendary Fleetwood Mac singer.

Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Catherine Oertel served as chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Solid State Chemistry, held July 26-31 in New London, New Hampshire.

Professor of Classics Christopher Trinacty recently published a chapter in the (aptly titled) What More Can We Say About Seneca? (DeGruyter Brill). His chapter, "The Very Image of Death: Seneca's Consolatio ad Marciam," investigates how Stoic visualization techniques and an understanding of Stoic Natura can help one process trauma.

Adelia A.F. Johnston and Harry Thomas Frank Professor of Religion Cindy Chapman hosted the Colloquium for Biblical Research at Oberlin August 2 through 5. Eleven biblical studies scholars presented and responded to papers at the annual event, which has been held in recent years at Dartmouth, Amherst, Boston College, and Princeton. 

Associate Professor of History Ellen Wurtzel gave a talk at Loyola University of Chicago for its annual lecture series on medieval history in November 2025. The talk, "Parisian Bathhouses in the Social Imaginary," highlighted research on these institutions and questioned long-held assumptions about medieval urban life and the role of bathing within it.

Frederick R. Selch Associate Professor of Musicology Jamie O'Leary's book, The Middlebrow Musical (OUP, 2025), was recently given an honorable mention for International Society for the Study of Musicals Best Book Award.

Emerita Danforth Professor of Politics Sonia Kruks presented the paper "Discrepant Voices in Simone de Beauvoir's 'Old Age'" at the annual meeting of the United Kingdom Sartre Society, held in Oxford in July.

Robert S. Danforth Professor of Politics Stephen Crowley wrote the article "Russia, Ukraine, and the Danger of Escalation," which appeared in The Nation. 

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Uche Okonkwo was awarded a summer writing residency by the Vermont Studio Center and earned the Voices Rising Fellowship, established to honor women writers of color.

Professor of Music Theory Andrew Pau presented the paper “Expanded Continuations in Belle Époque Instrumental Music” at the Dublin Music Analysis Conference, organized by the Society for Music Analysis (U.K.) and hosted by Trinity College and the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin July 13-15. The paper explores phrase forms in music by Cécile Chaminade, Gabriel Fauré, César Franck, and Maurice Ravel.