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DEBRA LAAKER BURGAUER
DEBRA LAAKER BURGAUER
A native of Quincy, Illinois, Debra Laaker Burgauer graduated with honors in 1974 from Illinois State
University, earning a B.A. in English and a teacher certification. From 1974 to 1980, Dr. Burgauer taught English and
French in public and parochial high schools in central Illinois. In May 1982, she graduated with distinction from
Bradley University earning a M.A. in English. She has been teaching Freshman Composition since 1980 and joined the
department in Fall 1995 as a full-time lecturer, earning tenure in 2000. In addition, she teaches ENG 124, American
Writers, ENG 233, American Literature to 1865 and ENG 320, Young Adult Literature. In December 2004 she completed her
Phd. in English Studies from Illinois State University. Dr. Burgauer's research concentrates on teaching methods for
composition and American literature.
Her research interests include science fiction, writing pedagogy, reader-response theory, young adult
literature and contemporary American authors, especially Kurt Vonnegut and John Barth. Dr. Burgauer assists her husband
Steve with the research, editing, and promotion of his science fiction novels.
Dr. Burgauer serves as an academic advisor for English majors and is on the planning committee for the Mid-America
Book and Paper Fair that benefits Bradley's Cullom-Davis Library. She is a member of the Modern Language Association
(MLA), the National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE), the Illinois Association of Teachers of English (IATE),
the Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar (ATEG), and Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA). She was
involved with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with her son and daughter, and is also a board member of the Friends of
Peoria Public Library.
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Page Manager: Carolyn
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