News Story
November 20, 2014
La Roche College Appoints Its First-Ever Distinguished Professor of English
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 20, 2014 – La Roche University recently named Sister
Rita Yeasted, SFCC, Ph.D., the Dr. Dorothy Saladiak Distinguished Professor of
English.
La Roche
developed the Distinguished Professor title in honor of Dr. Dorothy Saladiak, a
professor emeritus of English who is remembered fondly by students and
colleagues for her unwavering dedication to the University.
Vice President
for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Howard Ishiyama, Ph.D., said, “Sister
Rita’s commitment to La Roche, along with her devotion to our students,
exemplifies what Dr. Saladiak represented at La Roche. She is certainly worthy
of this honor, having taught at the University for more than 30 years and for her
overall service to the University community.”
Sister Rita, a
lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, graduated from La Roche in 1968 with a
Bachelor of Arts in English and earned her master’s degree and doctorate degree
at Duquesne University. In 1980 she returned to La Roche as a professor and
served as the English Department chair for the past 34 years.
In addition to
teaching and advising students, Sister Rita’s new responsibilities as the
Distinguished Professor of English include: fostering the Catholic intellectual
tradition at La Roche, performing occasional public lectures and engaging in
mission-related writing.
“I was touched
by this honor and am still figuring out what it might mean to me personally,”
Sister Rita said. “Professionally, it is another title to add to my name, but
Sister has always been my favorite title because it implies a relationship to
another.”
The
Distinguished Professor designation is one of many prestigious honors recognizing
Sister Rita’s service to La Roche. Previously she received the Brother Gregory
Nugent, FSC Award for Excellence in Teaching and the La Roche University
Dedication to Achievement Award. In 2012 she was an inaugural recipient of the Distinguished
Alumni Circle Award, established during La Roche’s 50th anniversary
year to honor La Roche graduates who embody the mission of the University through their
career success and dedication to community service.
“I try to teach
in an interactive style. I have never been a mere lecturer,” Sister Rita said.
“I hope students take away from my classes the self-confidence that they can
write and read better than they thought they could, and I hope they take away
some of my own passion for literature and learning. It’s not always about
grades or test scores, but it is always about joy in learning and a deep
curiosity about the world we live in.”
The daughter of
a steelworker, Sister Rita was born in Tarentum, Pa. She entered the convent in
1959 and was a member of the Sisters of Divine Providence for 25 years. Sister
Rita later transferred to the Sisters for Christian Community and now serves as
the community’s international communications coordinator. She is the author of
“JON: John Oliver Nelson and the Movement for Power in the Church,” a biography
of the Pittsburgh-born founder of Kirkridge Retreat Center.
About La Roche
College: A private liberal arts college in
the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50
undergraduate and five graduate degree programs, with particular strengths in
education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical
sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential
college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,400 men and women
enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics
program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University
embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and
backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international
exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and
achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
# # #