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William Richard Thierfelder, Ph.D
Contact: makingwings@gmail.com
EDUCATION & STUDIES:
2018 Ordination Universal Life Church MinistriesTrained to perform marriages and funerals. Status as a ULC minister is recognized in the 50 states.
2012 Graduate Docent Training American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY)Trained with leading scientists and curators to become a guide and educator at the Museum. Principal areas include Paleontology (Dr. Mark Norrell), Earth Science (Dr. Edward Mathez), Human Origins (Dr. William Harcourt-Smith), Cosmology and Astrophysics (Dr. Michael Shara), North American Mammals (Dr. Stephen Quinn)
1988 M.A. Theology Seminary of the Immaculate Conception (Huntington, NY) Spirituality; spiritual traditions of the West; Church Music; Medieval Mysticism. 1979 Ph.D. English St. John's University (summa cum laude) (Jamaica, NY) 19th Century British Literature; 20th Century American Literature; Modern Drama; 20th Century Opera as Drama. DISSERTATION: The Art of Transformation. This monograph shows how seven modern dramas--Elektra, The Rape of Lucretia, The Emperor Jones, Mourning Becomes Electra, The Makropolos Affair, The Little Foxes, and Liliom--were metamorphosed into works for the musical theater. The kinds of changes needed to make a spoken drama viable music drama are explored through in-depth comparisons of the original plays and the libretti with generous quotes from the scores. MENTORS: Dr. Angela Belli, English; Dr. Thomas Flanagan, Music. 1975 M.A. English St. John's University (cum laude) Focus on 19th century British and American literature. 1973 B.A. English St. John's University British Literature, Opera as Drama, extensive study of Western Art History. AWARDS AND HONORS: Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society (1991); Who's Who in America East Biographee (1990--present); Alpha Psi Omega, National Drama Honor Society (1976); Pi Delta Epsilon, National Journalism Honor Society (1972); Who's Who Among American College Students (1972); Dean's List (undergraduate); various certificates for English (undergraduate). EMPLOYMENT/VOCATION:
LECTURER (Oregon; New York; New Jersey)Multnomah County Library (Oregon)Wilsonville Public Library (Oregon)Long Island Libraries (New York) Somerset County Library (New Jersey) Friendly House (Portland, Oregon) Senior Studies Institute (Portland Community College)1994—present Create and present 90-100 minute programs on a variety of Humanities topics; design special handout materials as well as website pages to enhance each presentation. Since 1994, I have presented nearly 250 different programs.
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (New York, NY) 2012—present Docent/Visiting Guide. Responsibilities include guiding general highlight tours of the museum and leading spotlight tours of The Rose Center for Space, the Hall of Human Origins, Dioramas, and the Fossil/Dinosaur Halls; editing and proofreading major projects. DOWLING COLLEGE (Oakdale, NY)2011 English Consultant/Tutor [Student Support Services] 2006—2010 Full Professor [Arts and Humanities Division]2000—2006 Associate professor [Arts and Humanities Division]1988—2000 Assistant Professor [Arts and Humanities Division]1985—1987 Adjunct Assistant Professor [Arts and Humanities Division]First Year Composition and Literature; Advanced Composition; Survey of British Literature; Survey of American Literature; 19th and 20th Century American Prose; Seminar on The Pre-Raphaelites; Seminar on AIDS; Seminar on African-American Literature; Renaissance English Poetry; 18th Century Prose and Poetry; Myths, Fairy Tales, and Legends; The Art of Poetry; Early American Poetry; Modern American Poetry; Literature of the West, One and Two; Grammar and Usage; New Testament; Introduction to Opera (Continuing Education); Canadian Poetry and Culture; Literature of the Adirondacks; Gay and Lesbian Literature; Science Fiction: Futurism; Literature of Fantasy and the Fantastic; The Literature of Vampires (An Existential Approach).
Committee Work: Long Range Planning and Development (1989—1991); Academic Standards Committee (1992—1995; 2005—2009); Accessibility Committee (1990—2000); The Diversity Project (2005--2010). Chairperson: English Department 1999-2001. Projects: 1. Development of new courses for English Department: ENG 3105 Renaissance English Poetry and Culture; ENG 3106 18th Century British Literature and Culture; ENG 3146—3148 Literatures of Diversity; ENG 3143—3145 African-American Literature. 2. Re-writing and development of English Department entry in College Catalogue. 3. Course workbooks for each course taught at the College. Awards: Pride Award, Spring 1999; Joseph Burger Humanitarian Award, Spring 2009NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (New York, NY) 1982--1988 Adjunct Assistant Professor. GMAT Preparatory courses; Verbal Skills [Adult Continuing Education Program: Washington Square; Midtown Center]
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY (Uniondale, NY) 1981--1986 Adjunct Assistant Professor. First Year Composition and Literature; Science Fiction; Business Composition; Grammar and Usage. ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY (Jamaica, NY) 1979--1986 Adjunct Assistant Professor. First Year Composition and Literature; Developmental Composition; Survey of British Literature; Survey of American Literature; Business Composition; Comparative Film and Literature. CHAPEL OF THE REDEEMER (Flushing, NY) 1975--1979 Second Grade Teacher. Specialized in developmental reading and writing skills. Directed primary level drama/musical productions; produced Church/School newsletter. MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL (Maspeth, NY) 1974 Mid-year replacement; Senior English. Three sections British literature; one section Honors English; one section L.D. English; directed Senior Class play; Yearbook. CREATIVE LIFE/AVOCATIONS: A. Art 1. Since 2007 my work has been displayed at The Gresham Visual Arts Gallery (Oregon), Monkdogz Urban Art (Chelsea, NYC), Phoenix Gallery (Bellport, Long Island), The Jericho Public Library, The Patchogue Arts Council, The Islip Art Museum, 40 South Gallery (Patchogue, Long Island), Rogue Space (Chelsea, NYC), The National Museum of LGBT History (Greenwich Village, NYC). 2. My work has been sold at Charity Auctions supporting the work of Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth, Brookhaven Hospital, The Cornell-Weill Community Clinic, and Mission Be. B. Writing 1. ARTICLES AND NOTES: During my years as an active educator, I published peer-reviewed articles and notes in a variety of journals and newspapers, including Outlook Long Island, The Explicator, Newsday, The National Journal of Health and Recovery, The Italian Journal, and The Journal of Technical Writing and Communication. Since 2020, articles and reviews have appeared in Gallery & Studio Arts Journal 2. SHORT FICTION [Pen Name: T. Richard Williams]: Since 2005, my fiction has been published in Aphelion, Shadeworks, and Wild Violet. You may view some of my work by clicking on links presented on my website under the title AVOCATIONS (WRITING) 3. POETRY [Pen Name: T. Richard Williams]: My poetry has been published in such journals as Petroglyph, Poetry Motel, The Lucid Stone, Performance Poets Literary Review, Higginson Journal, Encore, Modern Images, American Poets and Poetry, and American Poet Quarterly. 4. BOOKS [Pen Name: T. Richard Williams]: A list of published collections of poetry and short fiction may be found on my website under the heading AVOCATIONS (WRITING) along with links to Amazon.com where individual books may be explored and purchased C. Conference Papers From 1992 to 2009, as part of my commitment to professional development at Dowling College, I presented 20-to-30 minute long papers on a variety of arts and humanities topics, including the operas of Handel, the poety of Edward Taylor, and the influence of Jonathan Swift, among others. Many of these presentations were given at annual meetings of the Northeast Society for Eighteenthe Century Studies.
MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS/AVOCATIONS:A partial listing of various projects and interests over the years.
2001--present: Senior Studies Institute (Portland Communit College, Oregon) 2021--present: Friendly House (Portland, Oregon) An outreach facility to the LGBTQ community. 1995--present: Various AIDS Walks in Portland, Oregon and New York City. May 2010--present: Website: www.makingwings.net
June 2008. Social Justice. The Third Journey for Safe Spaces: a 40 mile solo bike trek from Brookhaven to Bay Shore as a fund raiser for LIGALY (Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth)
August 2007 WCBS-TV “The Morning Show” Interview. A discussion about my collages.
May 2007. Social Justice. The Second Journey for Safe Spaces: a 90-mile solo bike trek from Montauk to Bay Shore as a fund raiser for LIGALY (Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth). With Joseph Interlandi and Clifford Satriano.
December 2006 "The New Yorkers" Interview. Cable Access Program on Channel 26 in Manhattan; 15 minute interview with James Chladek about my collages.
July 2006 ff. Scholarship/Philanthropy. Instituted the Matthew Shepard-Sakia Gunn Scholarship at Dowling College for incoming gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender students who have demonstrated academic excellence in their High School careers.
2005--2010 The Diversity Project. The Diversity Project held as its primary goal the removal of barriers to equality for all human beings. Through regular town hall meetings at Dowling College (Oakdale, Long Island), people came together to discuss their hopes and fears about their place at society’s table. Such dialogues offered an opportunity for people to see diversity as a rich asset, not a damaging threat, and helped promote the inclusion of all people in private and civic life regardless of their race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religious or political affiliation, or mental or physical dexterity.
August 2005. Social Justice. The Journey for Safe Spaces: A 114 mile solo walk/bicycle trek from Valley Stream to Montauk as a fund raiser for LIGALY (Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth).
April 1999. Acting. Scene from Shakespeare’s Othello [in We Came Crying Hither] Loft Theater, Dowling College, NY.
1994--1996. Social Justice. Volunteer work for the Momentum AIDS Project, St. Peter's Church, New York City
Summer 1982. Composer. Incidental music for album devoted to the verse of Spanish poet Carmen Conde. Spoken Arts Records, New Rochelle, NY
May 1976. Composer. Trilogy: Three One-Act Operas (text by award-winning writer Richard Vetere), Philip Jackson Music Drama Theater, Columbia Artists Management Inc. Hall, New York City
May 1974 . Set Design. Hello Out There for St. John's University’s drama department.
February 1974 . Costume Design Assistant. Jesus Christ Superstar for St. John's University’s drama department
April 1973. Composer. “There is a certain peacefulness: for small string orchestra,” SMU Faculty String Ensemble, Dallas, Texas
April 1973. Composer. “Spring Rain, Spring Night: Song Cycle for Soprano and Orchestra,” Southern Methodist University Spring Concert Series, Dallas, Texas
1973—1976. Composer. Wrote incidental music for nearly a dozen plays produced by St. John’s University’s drama department.
Winter 1970. Television. “University Roundtable”: 30 minute interview about my music and art. WNYC-TV.
2018 Ordination Universal Life Church MinistriesTrained to perform marriages and funerals. Status as a ULC minister is recognized in the 50 states.
2012 Graduate Docent Training American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY)Trained with leading scientists and curators to become a guide and educator at the Museum. Principal areas include Paleontology (Dr. Mark Norrell), Earth Science (Dr. Edward Mathez), Human Origins (Dr. William Harcourt-Smith), Cosmology and Astrophysics (Dr. Michael Shara), North American Mammals (Dr. Stephen Quinn)
1988 M.A. Theology Seminary of the Immaculate Conception (Huntington, NY) Spirituality; spiritual traditions of the West; Church Music; Medieval Mysticism. 1979 Ph.D. English St. John's University (summa cum laude) (Jamaica, NY) 19th Century British Literature; 20th Century American Literature; Modern Drama; 20th Century Opera as Drama. DISSERTATION: The Art of Transformation. This monograph shows how seven modern dramas--Elektra, The Rape of Lucretia, The Emperor Jones, Mourning Becomes Electra, The Makropolos Affair, The Little Foxes, and Liliom--were metamorphosed into works for the musical theater. The kinds of changes needed to make a spoken drama viable music drama are explored through in-depth comparisons of the original plays and the libretti with generous quotes from the scores. MENTORS: Dr. Angela Belli, English; Dr. Thomas Flanagan, Music. 1975 M.A. English St. John's University (cum laude) Focus on 19th century British and American literature. 1973 B.A. English St. John's University British Literature, Opera as Drama, extensive study of Western Art History. AWARDS AND HONORS: Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society (1991); Who's Who in America East Biographee (1990--present); Alpha Psi Omega, National Drama Honor Society (1976); Pi Delta Epsilon, National Journalism Honor Society (1972); Who's Who Among American College Students (1972); Dean's List (undergraduate); various certificates for English (undergraduate). EMPLOYMENT/VOCATION:
LECTURER (Oregon; New York; New Jersey)Multnomah County Library (Oregon)Wilsonville Public Library (Oregon)Long Island Libraries (New York) Somerset County Library (New Jersey) Friendly House (Portland, Oregon) Senior Studies Institute (Portland Community College)1994—present Create and present 90-100 minute programs on a variety of Humanities topics; design special handout materials as well as website pages to enhance each presentation. Since 1994, I have presented nearly 250 different programs.
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (New York, NY) 2012—present Docent/Visiting Guide. Responsibilities include guiding general highlight tours of the museum and leading spotlight tours of The Rose Center for Space, the Hall of Human Origins, Dioramas, and the Fossil/Dinosaur Halls; editing and proofreading major projects. DOWLING COLLEGE (Oakdale, NY)2011 English Consultant/Tutor [Student Support Services] 2006—2010 Full Professor [Arts and Humanities Division]2000—2006 Associate professor [Arts and Humanities Division]1988—2000 Assistant Professor [Arts and Humanities Division]1985—1987 Adjunct Assistant Professor [Arts and Humanities Division]First Year Composition and Literature; Advanced Composition; Survey of British Literature; Survey of American Literature; 19th and 20th Century American Prose; Seminar on The Pre-Raphaelites; Seminar on AIDS; Seminar on African-American Literature; Renaissance English Poetry; 18th Century Prose and Poetry; Myths, Fairy Tales, and Legends; The Art of Poetry; Early American Poetry; Modern American Poetry; Literature of the West, One and Two; Grammar and Usage; New Testament; Introduction to Opera (Continuing Education); Canadian Poetry and Culture; Literature of the Adirondacks; Gay and Lesbian Literature; Science Fiction: Futurism; Literature of Fantasy and the Fantastic; The Literature of Vampires (An Existential Approach).
Committee Work: Long Range Planning and Development (1989—1991); Academic Standards Committee (1992—1995; 2005—2009); Accessibility Committee (1990—2000); The Diversity Project (2005--2010). Chairperson: English Department 1999-2001. Projects: 1. Development of new courses for English Department: ENG 3105 Renaissance English Poetry and Culture; ENG 3106 18th Century British Literature and Culture; ENG 3146—3148 Literatures of Diversity; ENG 3143—3145 African-American Literature. 2. Re-writing and development of English Department entry in College Catalogue. 3. Course workbooks for each course taught at the College. Awards: Pride Award, Spring 1999; Joseph Burger Humanitarian Award, Spring 2009NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (New York, NY) 1982--1988 Adjunct Assistant Professor. GMAT Preparatory courses; Verbal Skills [Adult Continuing Education Program: Washington Square; Midtown Center]
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY (Uniondale, NY) 1981--1986 Adjunct Assistant Professor. First Year Composition and Literature; Science Fiction; Business Composition; Grammar and Usage. ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY (Jamaica, NY) 1979--1986 Adjunct Assistant Professor. First Year Composition and Literature; Developmental Composition; Survey of British Literature; Survey of American Literature; Business Composition; Comparative Film and Literature. CHAPEL OF THE REDEEMER (Flushing, NY) 1975--1979 Second Grade Teacher. Specialized in developmental reading and writing skills. Directed primary level drama/musical productions; produced Church/School newsletter. MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL (Maspeth, NY) 1974 Mid-year replacement; Senior English. Three sections British literature; one section Honors English; one section L.D. English; directed Senior Class play; Yearbook. CREATIVE LIFE/AVOCATIONS: A. Art 1. Since 2007 my work has been displayed at The Gresham Visual Arts Gallery (Oregon), Monkdogz Urban Art (Chelsea, NYC), Phoenix Gallery (Bellport, Long Island), The Jericho Public Library, The Patchogue Arts Council, The Islip Art Museum, 40 South Gallery (Patchogue, Long Island), Rogue Space (Chelsea, NYC), The National Museum of LGBT History (Greenwich Village, NYC). 2. My work has been sold at Charity Auctions supporting the work of Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth, Brookhaven Hospital, The Cornell-Weill Community Clinic, and Mission Be. B. Writing 1. ARTICLES AND NOTES: During my years as an active educator, I published peer-reviewed articles and notes in a variety of journals and newspapers, including Outlook Long Island, The Explicator, Newsday, The National Journal of Health and Recovery, The Italian Journal, and The Journal of Technical Writing and Communication. Since 2020, articles and reviews have appeared in Gallery & Studio Arts Journal 2. SHORT FICTION [Pen Name: T. Richard Williams]: Since 2005, my fiction has been published in Aphelion, Shadeworks, and Wild Violet. You may view some of my work by clicking on links presented on my website under the title AVOCATIONS (WRITING) 3. POETRY [Pen Name: T. Richard Williams]: My poetry has been published in such journals as Petroglyph, Poetry Motel, The Lucid Stone, Performance Poets Literary Review, Higginson Journal, Encore, Modern Images, American Poets and Poetry, and American Poet Quarterly. 4. BOOKS [Pen Name: T. Richard Williams]: A list of published collections of poetry and short fiction may be found on my website under the heading AVOCATIONS (WRITING) along with links to Amazon.com where individual books may be explored and purchased C. Conference Papers From 1992 to 2009, as part of my commitment to professional development at Dowling College, I presented 20-to-30 minute long papers on a variety of arts and humanities topics, including the operas of Handel, the poety of Edward Taylor, and the influence of Jonathan Swift, among others. Many of these presentations were given at annual meetings of the Northeast Society for Eighteenthe Century Studies.
MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS/AVOCATIONS:A partial listing of various projects and interests over the years.
2001--present: Senior Studies Institute (Portland Communit College, Oregon) 2021--present: Friendly House (Portland, Oregon) An outreach facility to the LGBTQ community. 1995--present: Various AIDS Walks in Portland, Oregon and New York City. May 2010--present: Website: www.makingwings.net
June 2008. Social Justice. The Third Journey for Safe Spaces: a 40 mile solo bike trek from Brookhaven to Bay Shore as a fund raiser for LIGALY (Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth)
August 2007 WCBS-TV “The Morning Show” Interview. A discussion about my collages.
May 2007. Social Justice. The Second Journey for Safe Spaces: a 90-mile solo bike trek from Montauk to Bay Shore as a fund raiser for LIGALY (Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth). With Joseph Interlandi and Clifford Satriano.
December 2006 "The New Yorkers" Interview. Cable Access Program on Channel 26 in Manhattan; 15 minute interview with James Chladek about my collages.
July 2006 ff. Scholarship/Philanthropy. Instituted the Matthew Shepard-Sakia Gunn Scholarship at Dowling College for incoming gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender students who have demonstrated academic excellence in their High School careers.
2005--2010 The Diversity Project. The Diversity Project held as its primary goal the removal of barriers to equality for all human beings. Through regular town hall meetings at Dowling College (Oakdale, Long Island), people came together to discuss their hopes and fears about their place at society’s table. Such dialogues offered an opportunity for people to see diversity as a rich asset, not a damaging threat, and helped promote the inclusion of all people in private and civic life regardless of their race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religious or political affiliation, or mental or physical dexterity.
August 2005. Social Justice. The Journey for Safe Spaces: A 114 mile solo walk/bicycle trek from Valley Stream to Montauk as a fund raiser for LIGALY (Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth).
April 1999. Acting. Scene from Shakespeare’s Othello [in We Came Crying Hither] Loft Theater, Dowling College, NY.
1994--1996. Social Justice. Volunteer work for the Momentum AIDS Project, St. Peter's Church, New York City
Summer 1982. Composer. Incidental music for album devoted to the verse of Spanish poet Carmen Conde. Spoken Arts Records, New Rochelle, NY
May 1976. Composer. Trilogy: Three One-Act Operas (text by award-winning writer Richard Vetere), Philip Jackson Music Drama Theater, Columbia Artists Management Inc. Hall, New York City
May 1974 . Set Design. Hello Out There for St. John's University’s drama department.
February 1974 . Costume Design Assistant. Jesus Christ Superstar for St. John's University’s drama department
April 1973. Composer. “There is a certain peacefulness: for small string orchestra,” SMU Faculty String Ensemble, Dallas, Texas
April 1973. Composer. “Spring Rain, Spring Night: Song Cycle for Soprano and Orchestra,” Southern Methodist University Spring Concert Series, Dallas, Texas
1973—1976. Composer. Wrote incidental music for nearly a dozen plays produced by St. John’s University’s drama department.
Winter 1970. Television. “University Roundtable”: 30 minute interview about my music and art. WNYC-TV.