During the upcoming Homecoming Weekend in October, the University
of Rhode Island Distinguished Achievement Awards will recognize and honor distinguished alumni
and/or friends who embody the URI tradition of excellence and transformation in
professional achievement, leadership, and/or community service.
Dr. Tillman, one of four recipients, received his Ph.D.
in English from the University of Rhode Island in 2009. His dissertation entitled Magical
American Jew: The Enigma of Difference in Contemporary Jewish American Short
Fiction and Film was written under the direction of URI Associate Professor Naomi Mandel.
She stated that this dissertation
”is an impressive work of scholarship in contemporary US literature that brings
together Judaic studies, comparative
ethnic studies, and film studies”.
Dr. Tillman received a B.A. from Hobart and
William Smith Colleges, and an M.F.A. from Sarah Lawrence College.