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Elizabeth Reyes (’03) — that is, Dr. Elizabeth Reyes (’03) — , with honors, at the Braniff Graduate School’s Institute of Philosophic Studies at the University of Dallas. After graduating from the ������ý in 2003, she earned a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Dallas, and now, having defended her dissertation, has earned a doctorate as well.

Dr. Reyes joined the

������ý’s faculty in 2011 after completing her doctoral studies, but not her dissertation. Over the last two years she has spent summers and other free moments working on her thesis, “Ishmael’s Cetological Quest: A Progression of Imagination in Melville’s Moby-Dick.”

Dr. Reyes’ thesis brings together two of her passions: wildlife and literature. A lifelong lover of animals, when she was a student at the ������ý, she was fascinated to explore this interest across the breadth of the ������ý’s curriculum — studying Creation not only through the natural sciences, but also in literature, philosophy, and theology. Her senior thesis examined how animals can help lead man to God, a theme that has endured throughout her academic career, including her doctoral dissertation about Ishmael’s epic journey in pursuit of the great whale.

The ������ý extends Dr. Reyes a hearty congratulations!