SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Elaine Hughes, professor of English and director of academic program initiatives at the University of Montevallo, will receive the 2007 Eugene Current-Garcia Distinguished Scholar Award.

The award will be presented by The Association of College English Teachers of Alabama (ACETA) at the Alabama Writers&8217; Symposium, to be held Friday, May 4, in Monroeville.

The award is named for the late Dr. Eugene Current-Garcia, who, in a distinguished academic career spanning five decades, mostly at Auburn University, published six books and dozens of articles and reviews on the short story genre and Old Southwest humor.

The award recognizes and rewards Alabamians who have distinguished themselves in scholarly writing on literary topics.

Hughes, a member of the UM faculty since 1974, earned a B.A. from the University of Montevallo and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama.

She teaches courses in contemporary American and British literature, world literature and composition.

In addition to her duties at Montevallo, Hughes serves as chair of the Alabama Humanities Foundation (AHF) board of directors.

She is also a past member and chairwoman of the Shelby County Board of Education.

Hughes has also held several offices with Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society, including international president.

She is a member of ACETA, the National Council of Teachers of English and the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She is past president of the state AAUW organization and serves nationally as chair of the AAUW public policy committee.

In 1999, Hughes was named the Carnegie Foundation CASE Professor of the Year for Alabama.

Hughes is married to Robert Hughes Jr., a general contractor. They live in Brierfield. They have three married children and seven grandchildren