Early Career Achievement

Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake, Ph.D., is an innovative and engaging teacher and prolific scholar. Lake joined the Department of English Language and Literatures in 2011, and has distinguished herself through her scholarship, teaching, and service.

She specializes in 18th and early 19th century British literature and culture. Her scholarship examines the relationships between literature and everyday life. Lake is interested in how we turn our daily lives into stories and how those stories help us make sense of our daily lives.

Lake is the first fellow of CELIA, the Center of Excellence for Collaborative Education, Leadership, and Innovation in the Arts at Wright State. During her fellowship, Lake has organized a yearlong project celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It includes a special course on the novel; theatrical performances; and a Regency Ball. The celebration also includes a national symposium in the fall of 2013 featuring specialists in English, history, theatre, dance, and cognitive studies.

Lake’s Pride and Prejudice project offers a unique opportunity to highlight the work of Wright State faculty and students and bring together the university and community to cultivate future collaborations.

“Dr. Lake has quickly proven herself to be an effective and innovative teacher, a sound and inventive scholar, and dedicated to university and community service,” said Kristin Sobolik, the dean of the College of Liberal Arts.