News Release

NEW LONDON, Conn. -  Dr. Faye J. Ringel was named professor emeritus today at the Coast Guard Academy during a ceremony at the Officer's Club here after more than 20 years of service.

The Professor Emeritus Award recognizes academic and professional faculty members who have made significant contributions to the academy with the recommendation of the Credentials Committee and the endorsement of the Dean of Academics. Honorees must have also been employed or stationed at the academy continuously for the last 15 years before retirement.

These professors will be frequently sought for their advice and counsel as well as maintain a professional affiliation with the institution. They may also participate in social functions, lecture series and large projects at the academy.

Ringel has taught more than 3,000 cadets during her career, many of whom who have gone on to distinguished careers in the Coast Guard.

“I cannot imagine a better place to teach, with idealistic, motivated cadets and entertaining, dedicated colleagues,” said Ringel. "Some of my colleagues were my former students," she said.

Ringel has brought great credit and distinction to the Coast Guard Academy by publishing dozens of scholarly articles and essays in published anthologies, as well as articles and book reviews in fifteen scholarly journals and encyclopedias.

In addition, Ringel is a respected pre-publication peer review editor and sits on the editorial board of two scholarly journals, the Gothic Studies and the Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts.

Ringel has appeared on numerous radio and television programs as a subject matter expert on American gothic, medieval studies, Yiddish folklore, science fiction and fantasy. Her television appearances include programs produced by Connecticut Public Television, the Learning Channel and British Granada Television. Ringel has presented papers, moderated panels and conducted workshops at more than two dozen conferences around the world.

Ringel received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis in 1972 and her doctorate in comparative literature from Brown University in 1979.

Rigel was appointed as an assistant professor of English for the department of humanities in 1985. In 1995, she was appointed Full Professor of English.

During her time at the academy, Ringel has served as the advisor to Alpha Lamda Delta, the 4th Class Cadet Honor Society, participated in 24 faculty searches and is the Academy’s plagiarism policy author and subject-matter expert.

In 2006, Ringel was awarded the Coast Guard Academy Distinguished Faculty Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the academy by exemplifying the highest ideals of teaching.