Type Of Business:
University
Expertise:
Teaching 17th-century English literature, John Milton and Shakespeare
Major Product/SVS:
Higher education
Education Degrees:
Ph.D. in 17th-Century Literature, University of Oklahoma, with Distinction (1967); Master of Arts in English and American Literature, Northwestern University (1958); Bachelor of Arts in English, Tougaloo College, Magna Cum Laude (1954); Certificate in Shakespeare, Oxford University, England
Affiliations Awards:
The Milton Society of America; Strategic Planning Committee, ABC Board of International Ministries; Chair, Highest Officer, Executive Committee, National Council of Teachers of English; Executive Committee, National Council of Teachers of English; Life Member, Los Angeles South Bay Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; National Commission of Arts and Letters, Delta Sigma Theta Communications, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Chapter Historian, Journalist, Sepia Planning Committee; Chapter President, Adviser, Founder, Tau Zeta Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Cambridge Who's Who; Who's Who Among the Women of the World; Who's Who Among American Women; Who's Who in Black America
Place of Birth:
West Point
State/Country of Origin:
MS/USA
Date of Distinction:
7/5/2011
Work History:
Professor of English, California State University, Stanislaus; Full Professor of Literature and Language, California State University, Northridge; Founder, Director, PAS Writing Program; Director, University Writing Program; English Instructor, Alcorn A&M State University; Professor, Chair of the English Department, Fisk University; Professor, Chair of the English Department, Tougaloo College; Consultant, Educational Testing Services
Charity:
Teacher, Sunday School; Board of Directors, Upper Central Economic Development, Second Baptist Church, Los Angeles; Get Out the Vote, Women Helping Women; Diaconate Board; Spiritual Growth Committee; General Board, American Baptist Churches, USA; BIM Chair, Committee on Women and Children; Volunteer, Mississippi Project, Carrace Foundation
Number Of Years In Profession:
53
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her dedication, persistence, integrity and intelligence.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession through the inspiration of her mother, who was a teacher, combined with her personal interest in teaching.
Extended Bio Profile:
Dr. Bennett-Purnell began teaching at the age of 20 and has taught at California State University, Stanislaus; California State University, Northridge; Alcorn A&M State University; Fisk University and Tougaloo College. She is the author of “Bridges: Ways to Understand Written Discourse” and videos including “Teaching Shakespeare” and “Conducting the Writer's Conference.” She has had numerous papers delivered at scholarly and professional conferences and has been published in journals. She is currently writing a book celebrating her mother's wisdom. She has traveled throughout the world to major cities in six continents and studied for two years at Oxford University in England. Dr. Bennett-Purnell offers her services to American Baptist churches in the United States, and visits schools and churches in Cuba, as well as in South Africa, where she helps to set up various educational programs. She was married for nearly 30 years to the late Frank D. Purnell, former all-American professional football player with the Green Bay Packers and the head football coach at Alcorn A&M College.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Teaching literature and writing to students; Advising, mentoring and counseling students; Writing; Reviewing books; Editing with McGraw-Hill; Serving on several of the university’s committees; Helping to advance the cause of education, specifically for minorities and women; Performing community service for teenage women; Mentoring women; Developing the self-esteem and aspiration levels of young women in order to help them become productive citizens; Working with churches domestically and internationally
Awards/Honors:
Three-Time Inductee, Honor Society; Numerous Plaques, Awards and Trophies
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Dr. Bennett-Purnell hopes to help secondary-level students in Africa.