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Monday, 6/30/97 Wortham named chair of English department FACULTY: New head accepts job, but says he will miss teaching

By Matt Grace Daily Bruin Contributor Thomas Wortham found his new office - that of the English department chair - with blank walls and full of dust. "I have to get this framed and sent to the new office," said Wortham, holding up a poster of Mark Twain. "This is one of the best pictures." Wortham, a specialist in 19th-century American literature, will replace Eric Sundquist as English department chair on July 1, bringing new ideas and new idols. "I love teaching Mark Twain," explained Wortham with an infectious enthusiasm, describing one of his literary passions. "When I come to Mark Twain I can still be an amateur," he said. "I want him to be an enthusiasm, not a professional concern." "He is the master of American English," Wortham said. "He understands and forgives humanity." Wortham's love and dedication for teaching American literature has made it difficult for him to make the administrative jump to department head, he confesses. "I regard my duties as a teacher even more important than department chair," said Wortham, who was the vice chair for five years. "The most difficult thing in deciding to become chair was the continued absence from the classroom," he said. Wortham explained that he accepted the position because of his own background in Americanism. With the loss of Sundquist and other vacancies in the American literature faculty, Wortham said it was necessary to find equally talented personnel. Julie Giese, an English lecturer, said Wortham's skillful administrative abilities and genuine openness make everyone around him more comfortable. "You don't see that many people so genial and witty," she said. The department chair serves as mediator between the higher administration as well as the faculty and the students. "The power rests with the faculty," said Wortham. The department is concerned with preparing students for other fields beyond English, according to Wortham. "Almost every student finds, in his/her work, the need to go through other disciplines in order to complete education in a particular field," he said. Wortham hopes to continue the recruitment of top graduate students and faculty members by offering better financial incentives. Although UCLA attracts students by reputation alone, Wortham plans to explore new options to finance faculty. He also stressed the importance of graduate instruction. "In order to have a good undergraduate program, you must have a superb graduate program," Wortham added. Graduates improve undergraduate education by assisting the professors and by teaching the students on a more personal level. He will also would like to create more undergraduate scholarships to reward deserving students. "I want to continue the good work that Eric Sundquist has done," Wortham said. "He is one of the most brilliant and accomplished younger Americanists in the country," Wortham said. Sundquist, a leading authority in American literature, will be the Dean of Letters and Sciences at Northwestern University, leaving behind a position he will greatly miss. "My years at UCLA have been wonderful in every respect, and the decision to leave has been the hardest I have had to make," said Sundquist in a farewell statement. During Sundquist's three-year tenure, the department created an English minor and the American Literature and Cultures major. Both additions rarely appear at large public universities like UCLA Late for a plane to go on vacation with his family, Sundquist made one final stop to Wortham's new office to say a final farewell. "He is a dear friend, who I loved working with," Wortham said. But do not expect Wortham to be chair for long. He looks forward to returning to his first love, teaching. "Maybe there will be one or two things I will do better than Professor Sundquist," concluded Wortham with a hearty grin and quick clap of the hands. "At least I'll keep the office less dusty." PATRICK LAM/Daily Bruin Newly appointed English department Chair Thomas Wortham sits in his office, decorated with Mark Twain memorabilia. Previous Daily Bruin Story UCLA professorships still dominated by men, January 19, 1996