NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

4/11/2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - As communication grows faster, one of the oldest ways of communicating, storytelling, is the best at bringing people together. Dr. Lisa Abney has studied storytelling for most of her academic career and was honored with the 17th Mildred Hart Bailey Faculty Research Award presented by Northwestern State University Wednesday as part of the annual Research Day.

Abney, head of the Department of Language and Communication, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center and an associate professor of English, has been a member of NSU's faculty since 1997.

'This award has a long history and it has recognized people who I consider outstanding scholars," said Abney. "My research focuses on storytelling, both in written form and oral. Whether I have researched grave digging, Southern literature or linguistics, the common thread is how people tell stories

"As the world becomes more global and people are seemingly more connected with technology, they still have stories to tell about their experiences. This gives them something to write about and share."

Abney has been an active writer and researcher, co-editing four books with former colleague Dr. Suzanne Disheroon-Green on American, Southern and Louisiana literature. She edited the journal Louisiana Folklife and The Fifth Annual Kate Chopin International Conference Proceedings. Abney has written numerous articles for national and international professional publications and books as well as local and regional publications and continues work on the Linguistic Survey of North Louisiana.

Since 1998, Abney has been principal investigator or co-investigator for 24 grants worth more than $600,000 to NSU.

Abney earned a bachelor's and master's degree at Texas A&M University and a doctorate at the University of Houston.

"It is important for all administrators who teach to remain current in their field by doing research," said Abney. "I am lucky to be able to integrate my research into my work. This allows me to give students the latest information."

The Bailey Award is given annually to a Northwestern faculty member or members for outstanding research and/or distinguished artistic performance or creative work substantially completed during the past three years. Criteria for the award include: scholarly or creative significance; national, regional or local impact; originality and ingenuity of project design and critical recognition by experts in the field.

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