Comments on: Milton-L Tributes to Al Labriola http://johnmilton.org/2009/03/12/milton-l-tributes-to-al-labriola/ Devoted to the life, literature, and times of the poet John Milton Sun, 24 Apr 2011 11:46:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Paula Jenkins-Whiteside http://johnmilton.org/2009/03/12/milton-l-tributes-to-al-labriola/comment-page-1/#comment-7311 Paula Jenkins-Whiteside Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:10:54 +0000 http://johnmilton.org/?p=127#comment-7311 I had Dr. Labriola for Honors English at Duquesne in 1980 as a frosh, then Milton Studies and Shakespeare on Film. When I was going through a rough spot and needed to return home for a semester, he called the admissions department at Trinity College in DC and got me a spot there over Christmas break. I've kept all the papers of mine he'd mark up, especially one discussing a libidinous roommate of mine whom he'd had as a student the previous semester and wondered at her fatigue during class. I still have a fondness for men in bow ties. Dr. Labriola, you will be especially missed. I had Dr. Labriola for Honors English at Duquesne in 1980 as a frosh, then Milton Studies and Shakespeare on Film. When I was going through a rough spot and needed to return home for a semester, he called the admissions department at Trinity College in DC and got me a spot there over Christmas break. I’ve kept all the papers of mine he’d mark up, especially one discussing a libidinous roommate of mine whom he’d had as a student the previous semester and wondered at her fatigue during class. I still have a fondness for men in bow ties. Dr. Labriola, you will be especially missed.

]]> By: Mike Crivello http://johnmilton.org/2009/03/12/milton-l-tributes-to-al-labriola/comment-page-1/#comment-3174 Mike Crivello Thu, 21 May 2009 02:51:06 +0000 http://johnmilton.org/?p=127#comment-3174 I was very saddened to hear the news of the passing of this great man and outstanding teacher. Although I studied under Dr. Labriola only for a short summer in an NEH seminar for high school teachers at Duquesne, I will never forget his kindness, erudition, and love for teaching. One brief illustration of his amazing perception and generosity: when I asked him to suggest a restaurant to take my wife for our anniversary, Dr. Labriola suggested one, and although I never committed to going there, when I did go to the restaurant the waiter immediately brought my wife and I an hors d'ouevre, courtesy of Al Labriola. How he knew I would go there, how he thought to describe me to the restaurant, and how he smiled knowingly when I thanked him the next day are memories my wife and I will cherish. I was very saddened to hear the news of the passing of this great man and outstanding teacher. Although I studied under Dr. Labriola only for a short summer in an NEH seminar for high school teachers at Duquesne, I will never forget his kindness, erudition, and love for teaching.
One brief illustration of his amazing perception and generosity: when I asked him to suggest a restaurant to take my wife for our anniversary, Dr. Labriola suggested one, and although I never committed to going there, when I did go to the restaurant the waiter immediately brought my wife and I an hors d’ouevre, courtesy of Al Labriola. How he knew I would go there, how he thought to describe me to the restaurant, and how he smiled knowingly when I thanked him the next day are memories my wife and I will cherish.

]]> By: Hugh Wilson http://johnmilton.org/2009/03/12/milton-l-tributes-to-al-labriola/comment-page-1/#comment-3123 Hugh Wilson Tue, 19 May 2009 03:12:00 +0000 http://johnmilton.org/?p=127#comment-3123 This is sad news. Al was deeply learned but unpretentious; he was one of those insiders who made a putative ouitsider feel welcome. He was a bright-eyed host with a genial smile and a character of tempered steel. He was an elder statesman for the Milton Society; he was an utterly decent man who touched many of us---an academic with the sensibility of a poet and a dry-eyed wit. He shall not be forgotten; we will not forget him; he will leave a emptiness. Who will pick up the loose ends? It isn't much, but why don't we gather a fund and name a scholarly award after him? And why not dedicate the next collection of Milton essays in his honor? I think we've lost more than we know. It will take time for this to sink in. Hugh Wilson This is sad news. Al was deeply learned but unpretentious; he was one of those insiders who made a putative ouitsider feel welcome. He was a bright-eyed host with a genial smile and a character of tempered steel. He was an elder statesman for the Milton Society; he was an utterly decent man who touched many of us—an academic with the sensibility of a poet and a dry-eyed wit. He shall not be forgotten; we will not forget him; he will leave a emptiness. Who will pick up the loose ends?

It isn’t much, but why don’t we gather a fund and name a scholarly award after him? And why not dedicate the next collection of Milton essays in his honor?

I think we’ve lost more than we know. It will take time for this to sink in.

Hugh Wilson

]]> By: Sharon Achinstein http://johnmilton.org/2009/03/12/milton-l-tributes-to-al-labriola/comment-page-1/#comment-1554 Sharon Achinstein Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:48:00 +0000 http://johnmilton.org/?p=127#comment-1554 Dear Friends, I was also saddened to hear of the news and wanted all stateside to know that Thomas Corns led a moment of commemorative silence at the British Milton Seminar this weekend in Birmingham. I will always appreciate that Al gave me my 'break' as a Milton scholar, when he invited me to be a speaker at the East Coast Milton Seminar at Duquesne in 1994, where he was a gracious host and mentor. Over the years he has shown many kindnesses, and in his invisible way, has given us all so much. I like the idea of a 'best graduate student' article for an award. Dear Friends,
I was also saddened to hear of the news and wanted all stateside to know that Thomas Corns led a moment of commemorative silence at the British Milton Seminar this weekend in Birmingham.

I will always appreciate that Al gave me my ‘break’ as a Milton scholar, when he invited me to be a speaker at the East Coast Milton Seminar at Duquesne in 1994, where he was a gracious host and mentor. Over the years he has shown many kindnesses, and in his invisible way, has given us all so much. I like the idea of a ‘best graduate student’ article for an award.

]]> By: Thomas Kranidas http://johnmilton.org/2009/03/12/milton-l-tributes-to-al-labriola/comment-page-1/#comment-1551 Thomas Kranidas Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:48:05 +0000 http://johnmilton.org/?p=127#comment-1551 I'm deeply saddened by the death of one of the kindest, most humane scholars in the profession. Tom Kranidas I’m deeply saddened by the death of one of the kindest, most humane scholars in the profession.

Tom Kranidas

]]> By: David Loewenstein http://johnmilton.org/2009/03/12/milton-l-tributes-to-al-labriola/comment-page-1/#comment-1545 David Loewenstein Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:52:23 +0000 http://johnmilton.org/?p=127#comment-1545 Dear Colleagues and Friends, I am as stunned as you to learn about Al Labriola's death. What a marvellous person he was--warm, witty, wry, and wise. He was an outstanding scholar and editor. He embodied the very best of the Milton Society of America. I like Richard Strier's suggestion and would like to make it more specific. Since Al Labriola was so generous to so many of us in our salad days (and beyond), how about something like the following presented by the Milton Society of America: The Albert C. Labriola Award for an outstanding article by an assistant professor or graduate student. Of course submissions would need to be accompanied by a short letter identifying the author's professional position. If you have other suggestions or would like me to pursue this one, let me know. This is my last year as chair of the MSA awards committee and I'd be happy to try to move forward with this. If you have any suggestions about this idea or another for an award in AL's honor, send an email to my UW-Madison address and I'll pursue the matter after March 20th when I return from break. Yours, David Loewenstein Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I am as stunned as you to learn about Al Labriola’s death. What a marvellous person he was–warm, witty, wry, and wise. He was an outstanding scholar and editor. He embodied the very best of the Milton Society of America.

I like Richard Strier’s suggestion and would like to make it more specific. Since Al Labriola was so generous to so many of us in our salad days (and beyond), how about something like the following presented by the Milton Society of America:

The Albert C. Labriola Award for an outstanding article by an assistant professor or graduate student.

Of course submissions would need to be accompanied by a short letter identifying the author’s professional position. If you have other suggestions or would like me to pursue this one, let me know. This is my last year as chair of the MSA awards committee and I’d be happy to try to move forward with this. If you have any suggestions about this idea or another for an award in AL’s honor, send an email to my UW-Madison address and I’ll pursue the matter after March 20th when I return from break.

Yours,
David Loewenstein

]]> By: dick wissolik http://johnmilton.org/2009/03/12/milton-l-tributes-to-al-labriola/comment-page-1/#comment-1544 dick wissolik Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:07:18 +0000 http://johnmilton.org/?p=127#comment-1544 Al and I shared four generations of students and teachers at Duquesne and Saint Vincent College -- Foster, Jack, Denny, Bernie, Jerry, Skip, Tony... the list is long.. Al was a friend and colleague. I will miss him. The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne. Ther nis namor to saye! Ave atque vale, Al. Al and I shared four generations of students and teachers at Duquesne and Saint Vincent College — Foster, Jack, Denny, Bernie, Jerry, Skip, Tony… the list is long.. Al was a friend and colleague. I will miss him.

The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne.
Ther nis namor to saye!

Ave atque vale, Al.

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