Gene Doty, associate professor of English and technical communication, was named chair of that department. The appointment took effect Jan. 1.

Doty came to UMR as a member of humanities department in 1967. He has taught courses in freshman composition, technical writing, world literature, fantasy literature, advanced composition, creative writing and teaching writing in secondary schools.

Doty’s research focuses on religious and philosophical ideas in writers like C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, James Blish and Russell Hoban. He has written and published a number of poems, including several collections. Under the pseudonym “Gino Peregrini,” he edits and publishes a webzine, The Ghazal Page.

As chair, Doty hopes to increase the department’s tenure-track faculty and students majoring in its degree programs. He sees especial possibility for growth in the department’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees in technical communication.

Doty received bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in English from Emporia State University in 1966 and 1967, respectively. He has been married for 43 years and has four children and seven grandchildren.