Tribute to LaVonne Brown Ruoff

When I think of the contributions LaVonne Brown Ruoff has made to the field of Native American literature, the simplest response is "thank you." But it's more complicated than that. She and Gene have opened their home to countless scholars—for evenings during MLA meetings in Chicago and for temporary housing. She has mentored young university faculty, and she has spent countless hours directing NEH seminars to expand the number of scholars and to increase the breadth of scholarship. LaVonne is the model of a university faculty member who has contributed to the teaching, the research, and the outreach and engagement expectations that define our profession, and she has done all of it with the zeal of a missionary, the intelligence of a true scholar, and the heart and caring of a mother.

LaVonne's scholarship has ranged from providing the bibliographical work so needed for early forays into this field to ensuring that out-of-print texts are made available again to publishing critical interpretations of contemporary work. She serves on the committees and editorial boards that make decisions about expanding the canon and recognizing the diversity of American literature by ensuring that the "most American" of this literature be included in the conversations and in the academy. Her contributions have influenced how Native American literature is viewed in the United States as well as internationally, and she is known by scholars throughout the world.

Lest LaVonne be viewed as a sober saint, I have sent in my favorite photo of her. Riding the carousel at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, LaVonne is joyful, full of fun, and a wonderful friend and companion. For all of her contributions as a scholar and a friend, we owe LaVonne a heartfelt "thank you."

Figure 1.