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"My aim…is to set the stage for my students to respond to one another's work in a way that encourages them to see themselves as peers in the process of learning—as well as future leaders in their fields."
-- Madelon Sprengnether

It's not often you see the words "gentle" and "thoughtful" in front of "critic," but that's how one of Madelon Sprengnether's colleagues describes her. In fact, many former students mention her humility and "quiet excellence." Says one, "I have seldom met a professor of such distinction…and reputation, with such a lack of interest in self-aggrandizement."

In her more than 30 years as a U of M English professor, "Mimi" Sprengnether has taught everything from Renaissance English Literature and creative writing to psychoanalytic theory and feminist criticism. In her early years she helped found the Women's Studies Program and more recently was primarily responsible for upgrading the degree in creative writing to Master of Fine Arts. As a result, applications to the Creative Writing Program went from 45 in the early 1990s to 245 today.

Sprengnether has created many courses over the years, including a special undergraduate film course, The Cinematics of Loss, in which she incorporates research on grief and mourning from her 2002 book, Crying at the Movies: A Film Memoir. She's also created graduate seminars focusing on topics like Shakespeare, Freud, feminism, and literary nonfiction.

Sprengnether's students appreciate her patience and encouragement. "She was remarkably even-handed toward everyone in the class, respecting experience, voice, and individuality," writes one. "What student, of any age, does not learn from that?"