Weir, Sybil B. (1934-1994)
Date Updated
10-26-2019
Department
English
Academic Rank
Professor
Year Retired from SJSU
1994
Educational Background
U.C. Berkeley, 1971 Ph.D.
Harvard University, 1958 Ed.M.
Connecticut College, 1956 BA
Teaching Experience
San Jose State University, 1968-1993
Friendship Junior College (Rock Hill, SC), Summer 1965
U.C. Berkeley, Counselor, 1959-1962
Selected Publications
Articles:
"The Narrows: A Black New England Novel."
"Constance Fenimore Woolson and Southern Womanhood."
"A Bacchante Invades the American Home."
"The Morgesons: A Neglected Feminist Bildungsroman”
"Gertrude Atherton: The Limits of Feminism in the 1890's."
"Images of Women in Dreiser's Fiction."
Files
Personal Commentary
From the time she arrived at SJSU, Sybil distinguished herself by her dedication to teaching and scholarship and by her unswerving commitment to the advancement of women and minorities. She was co‑founder of the Women's Studies Program, the American Studies Program, and the National Association for Women's Studies. Soon Sybil was sought after for administrative duties: Coordinator of Women's Studies, Associate Dean for Faculty Development in the School of Humanities and the Arts, and Associate Academic Vice President for Faculty Affairs. In all of these positions she insisted on high standards of teaching and scholarship and worked to bring people together to share their concerns and achievements and to encourage joint projects and mutual interests. During the last year of her life, Sybil served as Dean of Arts and Letters at Southwest Missouri State University, where both the faculty and administration "adored" her for the fresh perspective she brought to her school and the university. They were impressed by her knowledge of the arts as well as letters, by her courteous openness and frankness with everyone, and by her elegant dress and carriage.
In whatever position Sybil served, from Assistant Professor to Dean, she was determined to make a positive difference, and her determination was contagious. People wanted to link their efforts with hers, and usually did. Sybil was a woman who significantly influenced the direction of SJSU for the better.
Date Completed: 10/96
Adapted from: Biographies of Retired Faculty San Jose State University 1997: A Project of the Emeritus Faculty Association of San Jose State University. San Jose, CA: The University, 1997.