Since 1996, the Merle E. Simmons Distinguished Alumni Award (MESDA) has been given annually to an alumna or alumnus of the Department who has brought distinction to her or himself. Awardees return to Bloomington to deliver a lecture to the department. Past recipients are listed below:
MESDA Alumni Award Recipients
Mónica Díaz
2018-19
Ph.D., 2002
University of Kentucky
Niraldo de Farias
2017-18
Ph.D., 1995
Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió in Brazil
Juan Pino-Silva
2016-17
Ph.D., 1989
Evergreen Community College
Barbara Weissberger
2014-15
B.A., 1966
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Michael Schuessler
2013-14
B.A., 1989
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana – Cuajimalpa (Mexico)
Janet Dudley-Eshbach
2010-11
B.A., 1974
President, Salisbury University (Maryland)
Eduardo González
2005-06
Ph.D., 1975
Johns Hopkins University
Patricia Lunn
2004-05
Ph.D., 1984
Michigan State University
Janet DeCesaris
2002-03
Ph.D., 1988
Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona
Norma Alarcón
2000-01
Ph.D., 1983; B.A., 1970
University of California-Berkeley
Margarita Suñer
1997-98
Ph.D., 1973
Cornell University
Julie Greer Johnson
1996-97
Ph.D., 1975
University of Georgia
The College of Arts