The
Alberto J. Varona Prize in Cuban Studies
This prize
to be provided to the best doctoral dissertation on Cuba at
the University of Miami, has been established to honor the memory
of Dr. Varona.
The Alberto
J. Varona
Prize in Cuban Studies has been established to honor the memory
of Alberto J. Varona (April 19, 1921 - November 8,2001), an
individual who demonstrated throughout his life a strong commitment
to intellectual pursuits as well as a profound love for Cuba,
his country of birth, which he left in 1959.
A. J. Varona
received a law degree from the Universidad de La Habana (1942)
and was awarded the Premnio Nacional Ricardo Dolz, given to
top graduating law students. He also had an M.A. (1966) and
a Ph.D. 1970) in Hispanic Languages and Literatures from the
University of Miami. His Master thesis, "Vida y obra de
Francisco Bilbao" was granted The John Barrett Prize for
the best work on a Latin American topic.
In Cuba,
Dr. Varona practiced law, was a prosecutor for the Audiencia
de Oriente, and taught penal law at the Universidad de Oriente.
In addition, he had the posts of Jefe de la Oficina Povincial
de Trabajo in Oriente Province and Director General del Trabajo.
He served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1955-1959.
In the United States, Dr. Varona taught Spanish language as
well as Spanish and Latin American literatures at Hamilton College
(Clinton, New York) and at Wells College (Aurora, New York).
Upon his retirement from Wells College he was named Emeritus
Professor.
Professor
Varona gave numerous conferences and published both articles
and books. Among his publications one finds Cuba ante el mundo
(1960), Francisco Bilbao: Revolucionario de America (1973),
and Jose Lacret Morlot: Todo por Cuba (1998). He also edited
and wrote introductory essays to José Martí's
work under the titles Ismaelillo y Versos sencillos de José
Martí (1981), Versos libres (1981), and Páginas
para volver a leer (1992). In addition. Professor Varona edited
Obra poética (1998), which includes an introductory essay
to the poetry of Mercedes Matamoros as well as her work.
The Alberto
J. Varona Prize is Cuban Studies has been endowed by the widow
and daughters of Alberto J. Varona.
Doctoral
dissertations must be submitted by April 15 each spring to Assistant
Provost and Senior Fellow at ICCAS Andy Gomez (agomez@miami.edu)
by either the student or dissertation chair. Submissions must
be fully approved by the dissertation committee prior to submission
for the Varona Prize.
Contact
the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at 305.284.2822
or iccas@miami.edu for
further information.
