Barbara DiBernard, professor emerita of English, received the Doc Elliott Award from the Nebraska Alumni Association.
DiBernard was director of the women’s studies program for several years, established the LGBTQ/sexuality studies minor with Joy Ritchie, and taught courses in women’s literature.
The award honors a retired University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty member who has exhibited a record of exemplary service, whose caring attitude has made a difference in the lives of students and alumni, and who has gone beyond traditional expectations.
The Department of English hired DiBernard in 1978 to teach modern British fiction, but soon after she was invited by the newly-established women’s studies program to teach courses in women’s literature. She created opportunities in service learning before there was a formal program, and she supported students in establishing a women’s studies conference. She received the Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Activity Award and other awards.
