Ross C. Murfin, E.A. Lilly Distinguished Professor of English in Dedman College, joined the SMU faculty in 1996 as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs after an illustrious 15-year career at the University of Miami, where he served as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to his time at Miami, Prof. Murfin taught at Yale University and the University of Virginia, where he had earned his Ph.D. with Distinction and his M.A.; he earned his A.B. at Princeton University. The author of five books, editor of two scholarly editions and one edited collection, and 40 articles, Prof. Murfin was the longtime editor of Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism, a series of critical editions widely used in English courses. Prof. Murfin taught undergraduate and graduate courses in 19th- and 20th-century fiction, poetry and nonfiction prose. His teaching and service earned him the HOPE award, the "M" Award, awards and nominations as Professor of the Year at the University of Miami and other distinctions. He directed or served on the committees of many successful Ph.D. students. He retires as Professor Emeritus of English.