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| Vol. 18, No. 35 | June 24, 1999 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 35 | June 24, 1999 |
Julian Valbuena, Elias Ahuja Professor of Spanish, has been awarded the Order of Don Quijote by the Kappa Upsilon Chapter of the Sigma Delta Pi National Honor Society. Valbuena received an honor society key and a plaque at the society's annual initiation ceremony this spring at the Trabant University Center.
"It was a surprise and great honor to receive this recognition," Valbuena said. "I was very happy to receive the award in front of such a warm and appreciative audience."
The Order of Don Quijote, the highest honor that can be conferred by Sigma Delta Pi, recognizes exceptional and meritorious service in the field of Hispanic scholarship, the teaching of Spanish and the promotion of good relations between English- and Spanish-speaking countries.
Membership in the order is restricted to nationally or internationally distinguished scholars in the field of Hispanic studies, distinguished teachers of Spanish who are employed in an accredited four-year college or university and have published extensively in the field of Hispanic studies, and who have served with distinction and honor.
Valbuena founded the University's Kappa Upsilon chapter in 1974 and served as its faculty sponsor and adviser through 1998. Under his leadership, the University's chapter received the national Certificate of Merit from the executive committee of the national office in 1996. The chapter initiates approximately 24 graduate and undergraduate students yearly. Valbuena received the Certificate of Merit for 24 years of distinguished service to the organization in 1998. He continues to serve as its state director. There are 400 chapters in the United States and Canada.
Valbuena has published 17 books and a CD-ROM on Spanish and Latin American literature and more than 200 articles, and he has given 100 lectures worldwide. He has served on the Fulbright National Screening Board for awards in Spain and the Mediterranean and the National Endowment for the Humanities Research Project Award Committees. He received the University's Excellence in Teaching Award in 1988 and the College of Arts and Science's Outstanding Scholar Award in 1996. Valbuena, who came to the University in 1960, currently teaches "Theatre of the Golden Age" at the graduate level. His research focus is on Spanish and Latin American literature. 
-Gail E. Walford
Photo by Robert Cohen
