Kathryn Harris (1941 - 2015)

Kathryn Harris, 73, passed away at her Scottsdale home on May 5, 2015. She was born in New Haven Connecticut, starting life right at Yale University where her father was finishing his PhD in History. Kathryn later grew up in both Phoenix and the small, eastern Arizona town of Clifton, where as a child and young woman, she spent time with her sister and cousins at the Slaughter Ranch in the White Mountains. Kathryn was in the first graduating class of Central High School in 1958. After graduating high school, she enrolled at ASU, became a sorority sister of Kappa Alpha Theta, and was elected to Mortar Board. While at ASU, Kathryn earned her BA in both French and English (1963) and her MA in English (1966). Kathryn went on to become a faculty member of the English Department and taught upper division English for 38 years. As a faculty member of ASU, Kathryn became an Associate Chair of the English Department and created ENG 301: Writing for the Professions. The course today now enrolls close to 1,000 students per academic year.

After she completed her PhD on Rebecca West at the U of A in May, 2005, she was promoted to Assistant Professor before her retirement. According to family, Kathryn was a fiercely loyal friend, an effortless conversationalist, and a captivating story teller. Her numerous friends and colleagues concur. She will be missed.

—Compiled from an Arizona Republic obituary and remembrances of friends and colleagues.

Photo of Kathryn Harris taken by one of her children.

Header background image from 1904 or 1905: Alpha Hall and the Training School/Original Building are on the left; Old Main is on the right. The view is to the west. UP UPC ASUB C357 1900s #4