Deirdre De La Cruz has been named an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor. Each year, five tenured faculty at the University of Michigan are named as Thurnau Professors for their strong dedication to teaching as well as their contribution to the education and lives of their students.
Deirdre has created courses in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures that incorporate traditional aspects of Asian culture such as language and literature, while creating space for new, interdisciplinary perspectives and multimedia content. She has also served as a mentor for students by being "a compass for personal, academic, and professional journeys.”