Johanyak, D.L. 1953-

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JOHANYAK, D.L. 1953-
(Debra L. Johanyak)

PERSONAL:

Born January 14, 1953, in Marietta, OH; daughter of John and Leone Holodnak; married Nasrolah Kamalie, December 6, 1974 (marriage ended); married Mike Johanyak (a professor of English), March 22, 1986; children: Jason, Mathew, Stephen, Bethany. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: University of Akron, B.A., 1977, M.A., 1982; Kent State University, Ph.D., 1988. Politics: Conservative. Religion: Protestant. Hobbies and other interests: Hiking, reading, travel.

ADDRESSES:

Office—Wayne College, University of Akron, 1901 Smucker Rd., Orrville, OH 44667. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

University of Akron, Wayne College, Orrville, OH, professor of English, 1992—. Mogadore Christian Academy, past member of board of directors; business writing consultant.

MEMBER:

National Council of Teachers of English, Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges (past president).

WRITINGS:

Shakespeare's World, Prentice Hall (Upper Saddle River, NJ), 2004.

Jonah! (play), 2004.

Work represented in anthologies. Contributor to periodicals, including College Language Association Journal, Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges Journal, Pennsylvania English, and Mississippi Quarterly.

SIDELIGHTS:

D.L. Johanyak told CA: "I have enjoyed writing as a creative outlet since fifth grade. I began keeping a journal at age thirteen and still do, today. Writing is one of humanity's most vital activities for self-expression and cultural preservation. Writing lets me share ideas and insights in a structured way. Although I especially enjoy the early American authors like Hawthorne and Poe, as well as the British Shakespeare from a few centuries earlier, I enjoy reading any author with a thoughtful or lively style.

"I wrote Shakespeare's World to help make classical literature and study more accessible and less formidable. I am coediting a collection of essays by scholars from around the globe on representations of Asia in the English Renaissance. I am also revising a book, Behind the Veil, about my experiences in Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis."