Carol Pitts Hovanec

Dr. Carol Hovanec died of natural causes the day after Christmas. She was born in Birmingham, and graduated from Tuscaloosa High School, the University of Alabama (Delta Gamma Sorority, Major in Literature, Minor in Music), and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (Masters in Literature). She also studied at the University of Wisconsin, and earned her Ph.D. in Literature from Teachers' College of Columbia University. Post doctorate, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study at Phillips Universitt in Marburg, Germany (founded 1527). Carol's professional career included working in the Fulbright Program for the Institute of International Education in New York, teaching as an Instructor at the University of Mary Washington and the Fashion Institute of Technology (part of the SUNY system in Manhattan), and Assistant Professor at New York University. She became a founding faculty member of Ramapo College in New Jersey, a public liberal arts college, where she taught until retirement. At Ramapo, she was an oft-honored Professor of Literature, Dean of the School of American/International Studies, President of the Faculty Assembly, and recipient of many grants and awards including Faculty Member of the Year. She was also awarded Woodrow Wilson and National Institute of the Humanities Fellowships to study at the University of Massachusetts and Drew University. She was a member of the College English Association, the Northeast Modern Language Association, the American Literature Association, and the New Jersey College English Association (serving as President). Her scholarly career included the publication of articles on American Literature and pedagogy, and more than 50 presentations at regional, national, and international conferences. Upon retirement, Carol was voted Professor Emeritus by the Board of Trustees of Ramapo College, and received the Stephen Rosen Award from the New Jersey College English Association in recognition of her contribution to the profession. In 1962, Carol was married to George Hovanec of New York City, an International Economist and Vice President of Chemical Bank in NYC. Carol and George and their many beloved felines lived happily for decades in Nyack, Upper Grandview, NY, overlooking the Hudson River and Tappan Zee Bridge. Carol loved to entertain and cook elaborate gourmet meals for family and friends. Carol and George loved to travel the world and search for gifts and antiques. All told, Carol's many passports prove that her wanderlust led her to all 7 continents, as indeed she visited Antarctica late in her life. Carol returned to Alabama in 2006, where until recent years, she was an active member of the American Association of University Women, the Jane Austen Society, and Canterbury United Methodist Church (and its JOY Sunday School Class). She was elected to the Leadership Board of the School of Arts and Sciences of the University of Alabama. Until recent years, Carol gave numerous lectures to various audiences on drama, poetry, and fiction, particularly the works of Jane Austen (including at her latest residence, Danberry at Inverness). Carol is the daughter of the Reverend Umsted Samuel (U.S.) and Hazel Hudson Pitts, U.S. a 50+ year minister in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. Carol is predeceased by her sister Virginia Catherine Rembert Liles, published Art Historian, Professor, and Art Department Chair, and brother Dr. Robert Marshall Pitts, the first Pediatric Surgeon in Alabama. She is survived by her nieces, Sister Mary Dominic Pitts, Ph.D., O.P. and Cathryn Claire Pitts, nephews Dr. Robert Marshall Pitts, Jr. (Lindsay) and Peter Hudson Pitts (Dr. Kelly Godby), great nieces Kathryn Brennan Pitts Forster (Matthew), Margaret Carolyn Pitts King (Phillips), and Sarah Nicole Marshall Pitts, and cousins Jenny Jean Hudson, Robert David Hudson, Sr. (Barbara), Rev. David Pitts (Rebecca), Ernest Pitts (Trudy) and Paul Pitts. Visitation will be Tuesday, 12/31/19 at 10am and funeral at 11am, Ridout's Valley Chapel, and interment following at Elmwood. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to the Ramapo College Foundation.