Retiring Professors: Dr. James Harner

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After 25 years at Texas A&M, Dr. Harner is retiring. Although he has instructed various classes, his major contributions to A&M and the English community are the World Shakespeare Bibliography, which received the Besterman medal in ’96, and the Literary Research Guide, which was named one of the TLS Books of the Year in 2008. After retiring, Harner plans to move to Richmond, VA and become “a fulltime grandfather.”

Dr. Maura Ives writes:
Dr. Harner is one of the reasons why I came to Texas A&M in 1990, and it's hard for me to imagine this department without him. Over the years, he has set an example of distinguished scholarship, and rigorous teaching. Those who know him best also appreciate his sense of humor, his love of good food (he is our go-to person for restaurant recommendations!), and his mysterious past: when, at the department reception, I let slip that Dr. Harner had once worked as a shopping mall Santa, a number of people in the room seemed to be surprised.  

Jim Harner has set a very high standard, not only as a scholar and teacher, but as a generous and trustworthy  mentor, friend, and co-worker. He will be missed!

Dr. Laura Estill writes:
Before I had even met Jim Harner, I knew him as editor of the MLA Literary Research Guide and the World Shakespeare Bibliography (www.worldshakesbib.org).  Both of these resources help literary scholars find the materials they need to undertake their research: the field would be much poorer without them.  Though we will miss Professor Harner when he retires, his scholarly legacy will endure and will help future academics navigate the field too.

I know you all, and will awhile uphold 
The unyoked humour of your idleness.
-Prince Hal (Henry IV, Part 1)
“I have done the state some service...” 
-Othello
"Words, words, words."
-Hamlet
Please comment below with your own memories of Dr. Harner!

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 7, 2015 at 3:24 PM

    I met my wife in Dr Harner's class. One day before class, Dr Harner and I were talking and he asked a girl sitting behind me if she would ever go out with a guy like me. Later that day I asked her out and we got married 2 years later. We have 4 kids and a happy home. Thanks for introducing me to my wife and for creating an environment in your classes where students could appreciate and enjoy Shakespeare the way you do. It was contagious.

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