UNI STUDENTS WILL be seeing two new faces in the English department for the next few weeks, although for sophomores through seniors, one may be a bit familiar.

According to Assistant Director Sue Kovacs, substitutes have been found for classes taught by English teacher Adele Suslick.

Taking over for Suslick’s Asian-American Literature class is twice-retired Uni teacher Rosemary Laughlin, who first retired in 2003 and then came back, on request, to teach subfreshman English until 2006. Jeremiah Roberts-Stanley, who teaches part time at Central High School in Champaign, will teach freshman English.

Earlier this week Suslick was found to have a burst appendix, as detailed in an e-mail sent to the Uni community Wednesday night. She is expected to be out for five to six weeks.

Students from Suslick’s sixth-hour English class have created a card with student and teacher signatures that is available in the main office.

While it is too early for Suslick to receive visitors, personal cards are welcome and can be sent to Room 7304 in Carle Hospital.

"She's on the mend," Kovacs told the Gargoyle. "Ben [Suslick's son, a Uni sophomore] went in to see her and said she's looking better, but the new teachers should keep everyone on track."

Suslick had been feeling ill for several weeks before the cause was finally determined. The longtime English teacher, who started at Uni in 1979, is involved in many activities beyond her classes, most notably the school's Global Studies Initiative.

Under her guidance, students meet weekly to study issues of global importance. Out of last year's GSI's activities emerged plans for a 2007 summer trip to the Dominican Republic, during which GSI students worked at a batey and learned firsthand the problems facing the country's migrant worker population.

Suslick's dedication to the school above and beyond her required duties earned her the 2007 Colin E. Thorn Award from the Parent-Faculty Organization. The Thorn Award is the highest honor Uni gives to nonstudents for voluntary service to the school.

"At the end of a long day, when I'm exhausted, I look at everything Del Suslick is involved in and wonder how she can do it," said Gargoyle adviser David Porreca. "I was delighted when she won the Thorn Award last year and received some much-deserved recognition. The one plus about her current condition is that she will be able to get some rest. When she returns, I'm sure she'll be fully energized and ready to get back in the swing of things."

MORE PHOTOS: WISHING ADELE SUSLICK A SPEEDY RECOVERY

Gordon Ruan, Anna Gooler, Jack Snyder, and Rachel Harmon display the signatures added so far to English teacher Adele Suslick's card. Gargoyle photo by Erika Belmont (click to enlarge)