Matthew Cowin, Staff Writer
Dr. Ruth Sánchez-Imizcoz is a professor of Spanish at Sewanee: University of the South. Originally from Spain, Sánchez-Imizcoz studied history and geography at the University of Valencia. She then moved to the United States to earn an additional Bachelor’s degree in History at Sewanee (C ‘86) as well as an M.A. and Ph.D. in Literature at The University of Kentucky. In an interview with The Sewanee Purple, Sánchez-Imizcoz detailed these early experiences leading to her enthusiasm over Spanish history and literature, the Sewanee-in-Madrid program and other topics.
Sánchez-Imizcoz first attended high school and college in her hometown of Valencia, Spain. After her additional undergraduate degree in history at Sewanee, Sánchez-Imizcoz switched courses in graduate school. “What you do in undergrad is not always what you do in grad. I wanted to do something I always liked (literature). The broad education will help you later on. I include mixed material in my classes, still like history and geography, and have various books on my shelf to read. Some you read once, others over and over again.”
Sánchez-Imizcoz credited the educational environment at both Sewanee and Kentucky in her teaching career. She first noted smaller class sizes while pursuing education in the United States. “The system of education is very different in Spain. My smallest class was about 50 students in Valencia, the average was nearly 400. The learning environment was much smaller at Sewanee and even Kentucky.”
But after receiving her degrees, Sánchez-Imizcoz learned she appreciated these smaller learning environments, leading to her first job opportunity to teach in one.
Originally, Sánchez-Imizcoz was not positive she would pursue a career in teaching. “Lots in my family were teachers. I thought I would not follow those steps, but I did. I liked it and found teaching at a small liberal arts college more rewarding than at a bigger school.”
After another brief teaching tenure at Mars Hill College in Asheville, North Carolina, Sánchez-Imizcoz returned to Sewanee full-time. She credited her interdisciplinary education as the motivation behind her coverage of various literary and historical works within Sewanee’s intimate classroom setting. “My dissertation was on Agustín Moreto (playwright). I include additional figures, such as Don Quixotete, in my upper-level courses. My knowledge of 20th [and] 21st century literature inspired my detective novels class with many books based on various authors in modern literature.”
The Sewanee Semester in Madrid program allows for an extension of her teaching experience overseas. Sánchez-Imizcoz first notes the core principle of her job. “My favorite thing about my job is to teach and bond with my students, here or in Spain. My closest relations with students are the ones that go to Spain with me; sharing my country and guiding them makes a difference. Spain is certainly a plus for my job and allows me to be with my family.” She additionally discussed the specific experiences of the abroad program. “It is one of the best we have here in Sewanee. Students improve their Spanish, see another country that is completely different, and live with families. Very rarely is there a student who is not 100% happy with the trip.”
Outside of teaching, Sánchez-Imizcoz served as Chair of the Department for 10 years, President of the South Atlantic Modern Language Association for one year, and continues her role as advisor for the Spanish Honorary Society.
Sánchez-Imizcoz reflected on her Sewanee experience and her next steps. “My goal is getting to retirement… not yet, but eventually. I always look forward to seeing how students evolve and being able to reconnect with my former graduates and see what they are currently doing. You keep the connections in Sewanee.”
Associate Dean of the College and Spanish Professor Betsy Sandlin speaks positively of her colleague. “Dr. Sánchez-Imizcoz has a wealth of institutional knowledge. I greatly admire Dr. Sánchez-Imizcoz and am grateful for all she does inside and outside the classroom.” Sánchez-Imizcoz’s broad education deeply facilitated her appreciation for teaching in the Spanish Department, both in Sewanee and around the world.