Rita Goldberg ’68 PhD

Rita Goldberg ’68 PhD, of Canton, N.Y.; June 17. She was a professor emerita of Spanish and founded and directed St. Lawrence University’s study abroad program in Madrid. She lived in Spain for part of every year and was a lifelong researcher in Spanish language and culture, particularly literature. She created an online resource connecting high school students with university faculty called “Ask the Prof” and she coordinated many gatherings, in person and online, of retired colleagues. She worked developing the AP Spanish Language and Culture exams for many years and served as a moderator for the College Board’s AP Spanish Teacher Community. In 2006, she established the St. Lawrence University Spanish Teacher Fellowship to support teachers who would benefit from spending time in a Spanish-speaking country. She was the recipient of the Charles A. Dana Professorship of Modern Languages and Literatures in recognition of her exemplary scholarship and won the Maslow Award in 1982 to honor her commitment to her students. At the time of her retirement in 2001, she was the longest-serving faculty member, having begun her teaching career there in 1957. She is survived by nieces and nephews.