Page 15 - Academic Report FINAL VERSION WEB

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Karmen Lenz

School of Arts & Letters

Dr. Karmen Lenz is a professor in the School of Arts and Letters. She joined the
MGA faculty in 2005.
What do you do at MGA?

I teach the required composition and literature course and these senior level
courses: Anglo-Saxon Language and Culture, History of the English Language, Ad-
vanced Grammar, and occasionally studies in J.R.R. Tolkien as a special topics course.
What led you to this career?

I taught at a community college and directed the education program at a social
service agency in New Mexico while studying classics and earning my Ph.D. in medi-
eval studies. All these threads come together in entry-level classes, world literature,
and senior courses in medieval studies.
What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?

I’m proud to have advised the student arts club Dynamic Expressions, a group of
students who formed their own artists’ group on the Macon campus. For four years, they organized and ran
their own art fairs and concerts on campus. They performed for a local shelter and tutored middle school stu-
dents. They were so motivated that I didn’t have to do any work myself other than the requisite administrative
paperwork. Even the president of the college at the time met with them to discuss the importance of the arts
in students’ lives. This meant so much to them.
What’s one thing that surprised you about working at MGA?

I was surprised at the warmth, support, energy and scholarly productivity of the humanities faculty when I
came for my interview. That culture has never changed. My colleagues in English regularly publish books and
articles; others publish novels and other creative works (one is on the bestseller list!); writers share their work
in the community; and artists and film specialists exhibit their work in the community or offer training to the
community.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I play the harp. I began studying the medieval harp for my scholarship in Anglo-Saxon poetry a few years
ago. Since then I have learned to play the Irish harp and now play with the Middle Georgia Harp Association.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

A colleague of mine at the social service organization where we worked told me once that I don’t need to
respond to every problem the minute it unfolds unless it’s an emergency. I find that taking time to think over
my responses to stressful situations leads to better solutions.
What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?

I spend weekends in a café or in my office working on research.
What’s something—big or small—that you’re really bad at?

I am a very poor ping-pong player.

Academic Affairs Annual Report 2019 | Middle Georgia State University 11