Throughout her 27 years at F&M, Professor Carmen Tisnado has been a gifted scholar, an exceptional educator, a beloved mentor, and a respected colleague. Her wisdom, extensive knowledge, and steadfast support have been immeasurable.

A specialist in Latin American contemporary narrative, particularly fiction from the Southern Cone and Peru, Professor Tisnado’s initial research revolved around the Uruguayan writer Mario Benedetti and the literary representation of censorship and torture in Argentina and Uruguay during the 1980s. She explored the paradoxical role of silence in its function as a discursive strategy to tell and perform the unspeakable: the torture and disappearance of those who resisted the military and repressive regimes of the time in Latin America.

Her research on the literary portrayal of terrorism and violence led Professor Tisnado to explore these same topics in the literature of Peru during the 1980s and 1990s, decades of political instability and social upheaval. She focused on analyzing narratives in which marginal communities were given a presence beyond stereotype, such as the unemployed, violent youth, and indigenous women. Her analysis included the literary representation of other invisible characters, such as the lesbian character in Peruvian literature. Another research thread was the detective novel, one of her favorite genres and one of her signature courses in the department. Her work shed light on how the narrative transgressions and fissures she found through her critical readings could be read as a social, gender, and political critique of our contemporary times.

While a dedicated scholar, Professor Tisnado is a gifted instructor who has taught hundreds of students, including Connections, which was an annual favorite among first-year students, and all levels of Spanish. She was also a Posse Mentor, shepherding a group of students through their first two years at F&M, providing guidance, comfort, and support. 

Students describe her as exceptional, passionate, and welcoming. One of her Connections students wrote, “Professor Tisnado made the environment so inclusive and welcoming that, later on, I could not keep my mouth shut during group discussions.” Another wrote, “Professor Tisnado has been with me throughout all of my four years at F&M. Without her teachings and guidance, my experience would not have been what it is. She is amazing.”

She is one of those instructors who inspires students to do their best while providing honest and critical feedback on their work.

Carmen Tisnado, Professor of Spanish

Professor Carmen Tisnado (right) and Professor Sofia Ruiz-Alfaro (left) with Sandra Cisneros (center), who will deliver the address at Franklin & Marshall’s 238th Commencement and also will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

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