Disability rights advocate and author Stephen Kuusisto has been appointed director of the Renée Crown University Honors Program at Syracuse University.

Kuusisto will succeed the interim director, James Spencer, who served in the interim position since 2010, according to a May 11 SU News release. Kuusisto could not be reached for comment.

Kuusisto will begin his position at some point during the summer break, said Eric Holzwarth, deputy director of the honors program. Holzwarth, a member of the search committee composed of staff, faculty and students, said he was delighted that George Langford, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, chose Kuusisto for this position.

As director Kuusisto will — among other responsibilities — shape the curriculum, advise students, implement new policies, and increase the national and university-wide visibility of the honors program, Holzwarth said. The honors program includes students from all schools at SU and aims to offer intellectual challenges for students through honors courses, special cultural events and seminars, according to the release.

In addition to being the director of the honors program, Kuusisto will also have tenure as a University Professor in the graduate program in the School of Education, according to the release.

Most recently, Kuusisto worked as an English and ophthalmology professor at the University of Iowa, according to the release. This experience in crossing boundaries between fields is important for the honors program, Holzwarth said.

Kuusisto, who has been blind since birth, has published two memoirs on the topic — ‘Planet of the Blind’ and ‘Eavesdropping: A Memoir of Blindness and Listening,’ detail his struggles of growing up without sight, according to his personal website.

With his wife, he has also worked as a disability rights activist. The couple founded Kaleidoscope Connections, a company that promotes employee awareness of disabilities and also promotes customer service for people with disabilities, according to the release.

medelane@syr.edu

Published on May 15, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Meghin: medelane@syr.edu | @meghinwithani