by Joseph Ahern, BA '29
University of Dallas Assistant Professor of English Sarah Berry, PhD, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Haggar Fellow Award, given annually to a professor who has demonstrated particular excellence in teaching
and is nominated by the University of Dallas Faculty Development Committee.
In this conversation, Berry reflects on her approach to teaching, her own time as a student and what it means to succeed in Literary Tradition, affectionately known as Lit Trad, one of UDallas' signature courses.
How has teaching changed the way you learn?
I think in terms of questions now. What do students understand? What might confuse them? What will they write about? Teaching has made me a more intentional learner.
What lesson did you learn in college that you still find important today?
Match the energy of the task rather than forcing yourself to do it based on the circumstance. Save the best time of the day for the things that require the most thought. If you are at your best from 8 a.m. to noon, treat it like a job. Save checking your email or mindless tasks for the evening.
You earned a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University, a Master of Arts in English literature from Boston College and a PhD in English literature from the University of Connecticut. What were your first impressions of University of Dallas students?
I love how earnest UDallas students are. They really want to know. It is great to see how seriously they take everything without taking themselves too seriously.
What advice would you give students on how to succeed in a literary tradition class?
Do not focus on the plot. Pay attention to the moments, the ones that do not add up or seem to serve the plot in an obvious way. The author placed those moments there for a reason. They reveal the truths and concepts the author is reaching for beyond the story itself.
