Wendy Belcher's Honors and Service

Honors

UCI International Center for Writing and Translation Grant 2007.

For translations from languages that have been marginalized. Ngugi wa Thiongo, dir.

Dick Goldensohn Grant for Innovative Journalism 1998.

To support investigative reporters working on international stories.

Fulbright-Hayes Training Group Projects Abroad Grant 1997.

For training faculty through short-term seminars abroad (Ethiopia and Eritrea).

Washington State Governors Writers Award 1989.

Given for outstanding books published by Washington authors the previous year.

PEN Society Martha Albrand Finalist 1988.

Award for first book of nonfiction; judged by Annie Dillard and Allen Ginsberg.

UCLA Awards: Non-Senate Faculty Research Grant 2007; James and Sylvia Thayer Short-Term Research Fellowships 2005; Department of English Conference Travel Awards 2005, 2006, 2007; Clark Library/Center for 17th-and-18th-Century Studies Predoctoral Fellowship 2004; Graduate Division Travel Fellowship 2003; James S. Coleman African Studies Center Research Grant 2002; International Studies and Overseas Program Research Grant 2000; Institute of American Cultures Research Grant 1999, 2000; Merit Fellowships 1989–1990, 1990–1991.

Mount Holyoke Awards: Class of 1905 Fellowship for Graduate Study 2003; Hannum-Warner Travel Fellowship 1988; Phi Beta Kappa Society 1984; Phi Beta Kappa Prize for best senior project 1984; Katherine Gray McFarland Prize for Creative Writing 1984; Naomi Kitay Travel Fellowship 1981.

Service

Co-coordinator. Southern California Eighteenth-Century Group, Los Angeles, CA, 2006-present. Assist in coordinating a quarterly discussion group among students and faculty.

Liaison. UCLA Young Research Library Special Collections, Los Angeles, CA 2006-2007. Facilitated the cataloging of fifty Ge’ez manuscripts.

Presenter. Committee on the Future of the UCLA African Studies Center, Los Angeles, CA 2007. Advised the committee on fundraising and publishing possibilities.

Chair. UCLA Campus Editors and Writers, Los Angeles, CA, 1998–2006. Organized an educational and electronic group that meet monthly or quarterly.

Member. Graduate Student Writing Center Committee, Los Angeles, CA, October 2006-present. Served on the committee to establish a new writing center at UCLA.

Executive Board Member. Graduate Student Caucus of the African Literature Association, 2002-2007. Served on the executive board of the GSCALA in various positions, including chair.

Organizer. Writer’s Café, Los Angeles, CA, July 2001-July 2002.Cofounded and coordinated a writer’s discussion group hosted by PEN Freedom to Write Committee.

Organizer. Literary Salon, Hollywood, CA, 1998–2001. Founded and participated in monthly discussion among Angelino writers.

Organizer. Human rights fundraiser, Culver City, CA, May 29, 1997.

Created literary and musical evening featuring dozens of authors, artists, and musicians to aid in freeing writers from prison. Attended by 300 people.

Organizer. “Human Rights in the Age of Media,” Venice, CA, July 19, 1996. Organized and moderated panel on human rights with six activists and academics (including Samuel Weber and Vinay Lal) at Beyond Baroque Literary Foundation for Suitcase. Attended by 120 people.

Organizer. Memorial for Ken Saro-Wiwa, UCLA, November 29, 1995.

Organized thirty-six groups to honor executed Nigerian writer Ken Saro-Wiwa with a readings and a production of his play “The Transistor Radio.” Attended by 250 people.

Member. Empire Red Lip theater workshop, Los Angeles, CA, 1995.Participated in a weekly play writing workshop on the theme of colonialism.

Organizer. Receptions for visiting artists and activists, Culver City, CA, 1995–1997. Hosted Nigerian writers-in-exile Akinwumi Adesokan and Dopo Olorunyomi; Nigerian scholar Oyeronke Oyewumi; Tanzanian scholar Yacoub Kidula; Nigerian activist Hafsat Abiola; German writer Manfred Fluegge, and Iranian writer-in-exile Said.

Organizer. “State of African Studies: An Update,” UCLA, March 8, 1991.

Organized and moderated follow-up conference on curriculum and research changes in African Studies at UCLA. Attended by 75 people.

Organizer. “State of the Discipline: African Studies,” UCLA, October 12, 1990. Organized and moderated conference with panelists Merrick Posnansky, Gerry Hale, Teshome Gabriel, Robert Hill, and Masizi Kunene to address the history and direction of African studies at UCLA. Attended by 120 people.