Ella W. Kirk

Ella W. Kirk is a Professor of French and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Hiram College, where she has taught for 25 years. She directs the School of Arts, Humanities & Politics and specializes in 18th-century French epistolary literature, examining gender dynamics in narrative construction. Her research also explores French culinary history and the evolution of restaurants during the Enlightenment. Kirk has led six study-abroad programs to France, focusing on language, literature, and cultural ethics. She holds a Ph.D. in French and Italian from The Ohio State University (1992), alongside earlier degrees in French and education. Beyond academia, she runs the student-led Terrier Bakery and teaches innovative courses like 'The Art of Making Dough.' An avid cyclist and hiker, she enjoys outdoor adventures with her family and menagerie of pets.

Education:

• Ph.D., French and Italian, The Ohio State University, 1992
• M.A., French, The Ohio State University, 1985
• M.A. Program, Teaching English as a Second Language, Ball State University, 1982–83
• B.A., French and Spanish, Ball State University, 1981

Research Themes: Kirk’s work bridges literary analysis and cultural history, with emphasis on gendered narrative structures in epistolary works and the sociocultural significance of food in Enlightenment France. Her pedagogical innovations integrate culinary arts with humanities education through courses like 'Transforming Dough into a Life of Sweet Success.'