Author: admin

Posted on

Dear Mr. Gies

By Andrea Smith

January 10, 2018

Dear Mr. Gies,

As you now know, Betsy Lewis and Jeff Bersett sent an email to your friends and colleagues far and wide, requesting content for an homage to you and your career. After deliberating over what to write, about how to express what you have done for me and what you have meant to me as a scholar and a teacher and a human being, I find myself speechless. Humor me, then, while I resort to what other academics do in this case: I will quote myself.

I said it best in the single sentence addressed to you in the acknowledgments of my dissertation: “David Gies’ generosity with his time, expertise, and resources can be neither described nor repaid; all I can say is thank you.”

I said it more eloquently and specifically in the two letters below. Since then—the second letter is dated 2014—you have continued to encourage and mentor me. You have helped me with NEH grant proposals, you have written me even more recommendations, you have eulogized a beloved mentor (Donald Shaw) in a way that helped me grieve, you have publicized my scholarship when I didn’t have the confidence to do so myself. Truly, there is too much to say, and attempting to express it all seems ludicrous at this point.

Congratulations on a rich, distinguished, and meaningful career. And, one more time, thank you.

Con mucho cariño,

 

 

Andrea Smith davidgies nominations
Posted on

Editor, scholar, traveler, reader, devoted friend

by Harriet Turner, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

When David Gies, editor The Cambridge History of Spanish Literature (2004), sent an invitation to contribute to the volume, already I had taken his own scholarship to heart, “apechugándome con las novedades” (as Galdós writes in Fortunata y Jacinta).  Now I see him not only as an editor and as a scholar essential to the field but indeed as a traveler, a reader, and a devoted friend.

As David recounts in his recent autobiographical essay (2014), one starting point was travel to Perú; travel to Spain soon followed. David  criss-crossed the country in trains, reading novels, learning the registers of Spanish,  and settling into exchanges with fellow travelers, shaking hands, giving abrazos.  At professional meetings he began gathering new and old friends—graduate students, visiting scholars, diplomats.  David would set up each occasion and soon everyone was mixing and sharing stories.

Similarly, through his teaching and writing, discussions in committee, the challenges of directing a department, of creating new programs of international exchange, on land and sea—David Gies continuously offers stories of travel and of books, of conversations and adventures. In 2009, as Spain celebrated on April 23rd  “el día de Cervantes, día del Libro y de la concesión del Premio Cervantes a Juan Marsé”—I caught sight of a note in El País: “En medio de la gran borrasca económica, hablaba del libro que seguía imperturbable, del libro que estaba allí . . .  para recordarnos, que ‘la literatura habla un lenguaje distinto, no opresor, muy diferente al resto de los lenguajes perversos que nos esclavizan con sus tiranías cotidianas: el lenguaje económico, político, religioso familiar, televisivo.”  David’s love of books and of adventure brings these words to mind, as they do Don Quijote and Sancho, those quintessential travelers who started out as master and squire but who ended in the precious reciprocity of friendship.  Like them, David is a fellow traveler with a genius for adventure and for friendship.

Across his long career two distinctions come to mind: there is, on the one hand, a panoply of honors and awards; of these, particularly spectacular was the ceremony, which took place at the Spanish Embassy in Washington D.C., in which he received by dispensation of King don Juan Carlos a Knighthood in 2007.  A few photos of David, his dear Janna, and of his colleagues, attached here, depict that marvelous event.  On the other hand, we may confide in David, knowing that we will receive comfort and encouragement.  David’s genius for friendship, the inspiring range and depth of his scholarship, and of his creative, educational programs, indeed have done wondrous things within the broad, tumultuous field of Hispanic Studies.

So let me close with some “palabras sespirianas” that David himself has lived so fully:

“Those friends thou hast,

and their adoption tried,

Grapple them unto thy soul

With hoops of steel.”

Hamlet

 

 

Posted on

Ships, Ahoy

by Adam Seid

Working with you during our years involved with Semester at Sea was one of the best professional experiences of my career. Thank you for the faith you put in me, the mentorship you always provide, and the warm hospitality you always show. Fall 2010 will always be in my heart, and you, my friend, were at the helm. All the best to you and Janna in your retirement. Your next act will be filled with adventure, no doubt.

Un gran abrazo,
Adam

Posted on

Dashing, Amusing, Vivid, Inspiring, Dignified, Teacher, Guru, Insightful, Ebullient, SPAIN!

By Sheila Cockey

Dashing, Amusing, Vivid, Inspiring, Dignified, Teacher, Guru, Insightful, Ebullient, SPAIN!

All descriptors of the one and only David T. Gies, these words do not begin to touch the man who has done so much with the language and culture of Spain, and for those who dedicate their lives to the study of all things related. His is human in the best sense of the word, caring about others, concerned for the good benefit of all, and a consummate friend. His sense of humor is obvious, even when he is serious.

Once our paths crossed, my path changed and became enriched. Fired by his example, I yearned for opportunities to improve my skills and knowledge, to grow beyond what I needed for my classroom. His work with the Center for the Liberal Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities provided me with opportunities to stretch and grow. Even though some of those projects are now over, I continue to be energized by his example and his enthusiasm.

Not one to be slowed down by something new, he embraced the possibilities of the world wide web and I will never forget his joy as he demonstrated the magic of his first iPhone. Incorporating technologies into his already rich and varied teaching, he keeps pace with changes and quickly adopts them. All of this enthusiasm came together to create ¡Cine con clase!, where he spearheaded the NEA project that produced a website of short clips of Spanish films for the free use of classroom teachers, supported by lesson plans and background information.

Exacting and challenging in the best sense of the words, those around him strive to be and do the best. He inspires true research, curiosity, and investigation, all with a dash of joy, excitement, and thrill at the result. Each of us who has had the honor to work and study with him have all reached far beyond where any of us expected.

And, I must not forget the really fun and playful side of David! He introduced me to the good wines, jamón, and cheeses of Spain, the joys of a croqueta, and the paradores of Spain. Sharing travel stories with him is a pleasure. There is always a lot of laughter that goes along with the serious stuff.

David, my sincerest appreciation for the work and the life you have dedicated to all of us. Godspeed as you move to a new chapter. Thank you for welcoming me to part of your life. I hope you have many trips planned for you and Janna and the grandkids!

Posted on

David Gies Changed My Life

By Dan Anglin

David and Janna,
Congratulations and thank you for everything. This video clip constitutes my best attempt to express my gratitude for everything you have done for me!

Remarks by Dan Anglin, Principal of the Prince Henry Group and 1992 graduate of UVA with a BA in Spanish, at a benefit dinner for the Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese at Georgetown’s Four Seasons hotel, April 2014 .

Posted on

“Ovación de Pie”

By Stephen Cushman

Ovación de Pie

It’s tough to praise our knighted David
When in Spain his name’s engravèd
But doesn’t rhyme, except with aphid
Sort of. If only he would go by Dave,
Then these praises would behave
And more reviews of him could rave
In tune, happy that they gave it
Thumbs-up best on affidavit.
Or we could make a go with Davy,
Dean of our deep-water navy,
Shipboard Jefe and pure gravy
To work for at sea, calm or wavy.
But though we want our praises avid,
No such luck. We’re stuck with David.

Enough about him; let’s talk about Janna,
Who wears the pants, top banana
As is known in warm Havana
Same as frozen Bozeman, Montana.
Queen of Holdem in Texarkana,
Compared to her a Pollyanna
Is downright depressive. Sing hosanna,
Hallelujah, for the manna
She is to us and for the spice
She sprinkles on their zesty slice
Of Charlottesville, that paradise
For the newly retired. Mighty nice
May it continue and suffice
Abundantly our friends named Gies.

Stephen Cushman
January 2, 2018

 

Posted on

Gies at the Boat

By John and Nancy Burkoff

(With apologies to Ernest Thayer’s “Casey at the Bat”)

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for Semester at Sea that day:
The UVa faculty was not happy, with not even one Voyage underway,
And then when “love boat” claims were made, and “booze cruise” calls rang out,
A pall-like silence fell upon the C’ville campus without a doubt.

A straggling few said they would never sail in deep despair. The rest
Clung to the hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, “If only Gies could but get himself afloat—
We’d put up even money then, with Gies at the boat.”

But Burkoff would sail with Gies, as would Nancy Burkoff, his queen,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a Dean;
So upon that stricken faculty grim melancholy was the note,
For there seemed but little chance of getting Gies to the boat.

But Burkoff turned out an okay guy, to the wonderment of all,
And Nancy, Burkoff’s prized, was quite a decent moll;
And when the dust had lifted, and folks saw what was foregone,
There was Burkoff safe on the ship and Nancy a-hugging John.

Then from five thousand throats in C’ville there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the Blue Ridge and recoiled upon the cote,
For Gies, mighty Gies, was advancing to the boat.

There was ease in Gies’s manner as he stepped onto the foredeck;
There was pride in Gies’s bearing and a smile lit Gies’s aspect.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly cleared his throat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt ‘twas Gies at the boat.

Ten thousand coed eyes were on him as he stepped onto the ship;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he stopped to take a little nip;
Then when the Captain approached and welcomed him to the ship,
Defiance flashed in Gies’s eye, a sneer curled Gies’s lip.

But Janna ran aboard then and came hurtling through the air,
And Gies stood a-watching her in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy boatsman Janna unheeded sped—
“Ships ain’t my style,” said Gies. “Strike one!” Janna said.

From the cabins, squished with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
“Chill, girl! Chill, Janna!” shouted someone on dry land;
And it’s likely they’d have yelled at her forever had not Gies raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Gies’s visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the ship go on;
He signaled to the Captain, and the engine thrum it grew;
But Gies still ignored it and Janna said, “Strike two!”

“Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered “Fraud!”
But one scornful look from Gies and the undergrads were awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Gies would never leave the ship again, except to go to Spain.

The sneer was gone from Gies’s lip, his face was wreathed in joy,
Gies had decided he loved Semester at Sea after all: “Oh boy!”
And then Janna picked their cabin, and gave Semester at Sea reinforcement,
And then the UVa campus was stunned by the force of Gies’s endorsement.

Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The SAS ship is sailing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere folks are laughing, and somewhere (outside DC) integrity is admired,
But there is no longer joy on Semester at Sea Voyages—mighty Gies has retired.

With much love, admiration and respect, happy retirement!
John & Nancy

Posted on

EL NIÑO ETERNO

de Rosa Montero

Cuando conocí a David Gies yo era joven y él era un niño. Ahora que me he hecho definitivamente mayor, él sigue siendo un niño. Me lleva, se supone, unos cuantos años de calendario, pero en realidad él es atemporal, inmarcesible. Últimamente he empezado a sospechar que proviene de otro planeta. Quizá Júpiter. Yo tenía treinta y pocos años y estaba dando clase en Wellesley College cuando Gies, siempre tan al tanto de todo, desde el mejor restaurante de Zaragoza o Camberra hasta la última y más novata profesora invitada de las universidades americanas, se puso en contacto conmigo para invitarme a dar una conferencia en la UVA. Acepté, pasé unos breves días en Charlottesville, me encantó la ciudad, la universidad, el departamento. Me encantó sobre todo el niño grande Gies, por quien sentí un inmediato flechazo. Fue el comienzo de una larga amistad y una no menos larga colaboración. Por él vine a la Universidad de Virginia, algunos años después, durante un semestre. Y más tarde repetí durante un par de meses. Entre medias, más visitas cortas, más encuentros a uno y otro lado del océano. Siempre me cautivó el entusiasmo inagotable de David, su inteligencia y su amplia cultura, que él disimula con una sonrisa inocente y modesta; su, por otra parte, divertidísima falta de humildad cuando alardea de conocimientos mundanos como, por ejemplo, los gastronómicos. Posee un talante conciliador que suaviza las relaciones y hace que donde él esté siempre haya más luz. Es optimista, leal, totalmente fiable y, al mismo tiempo, tiene un delicioso punto loco impredecible. Envidio sus ganas de vivir, tan puras, tan gozosas: intento aprender de él en ese sentido. Gracias a David, a su oferta de trabajo y a su empeño en traerme, he podido vivir en Charlottesville algunas de las semanas más felices de mi vida. En realidad, ahora que lo pienso, todos mis recuerdos con él son recuerdos dichosos. Gracias por ser amigo, por ser niño, por ser mago, por jugar a vivir tan seriamente y por alegrarle la vida a los demás. Eres un lujo.