It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Dr. Vivian Yenika-Agbaw, one of our PACF advisory board members and a member of the planning committee for this years American Folklore Society meeting in Harrisburg. She will be greatly missed among Penn State folklorists. Below, we share a brief remembrance from two of her doctoral students, Jocelyn Amevuvor and Phoebe Quaynor.
Dr. Vivian Yenika-Agbaw
In Memoriam
Professor of Education (Literature and Literacy)
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park
IMAGE: PATRICK MANSELL
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Vivian Yenika-Agbaw on September 30, 2021. Our hearts and thoughts are with her family, her friends, her current and former students, and her vast network of colleagues.
In addition to being a professor of language and literacies in Penn State’s College of Education, she also worked as a professor of African studies in the College of the Liberal Arts, taught courses in children’s and adolescent literature, and taught online via Penn State World Campus. With an international reputation as a first-rate scholar and expert in the area of children’s literature, her research was informed by theories of critical multiculturalism, postcolonialism and reader response. Much of her work has become foundational in her fields. She also published creative works, including novels, short stories, and poetry.
Vivian was a leader in many national and international children’s literature organizations.
She was also the first black board member (2017-2019) elected by the International Research Society for Children’s Literature (IRSCL) since its inception in 1969. In this role, and throughout her career, Vivian was a vehement proponent of the need for better representation from historically marginalized groups in literature for children and youth.
As a core faculty member of Penn State’s Children’s Literature program, Vivian taught and advised undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students. Vivian was foundational in establishing the online children’s literature degree and certificate programs through Penn State’s World Campus and developed innovative courses on culture, literature, and pedagogy, such as Cultural Pluralism in Children’s and Adolescent Literature. Vivian also worked recently to establish several exploratory residential courses for undergraduates who might be interested in children’s literature, including Children’s Games, Toys, and Media, which were attracting students to the College of Education. It’s clear that Vivian’s passion for children’s literature sparked and/or deepened an interest in many former, current, and even future students.