Dr. Sally Parry and Dr. Robert McLaughlin arrived at Illinois State University in 1988 and taught and published in the Department of English until their retirements. McLaughlin retired in 2018, while Parry stepped down as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 2021. Not content to “sit on the porch in a rocking chair,” the couple traveled extensively in Europe, took in theater in New York City, and continued with their scholarly partnership.
Although McLaughlin passed in September, their latest work, Broadway Goes to War: American Theater During World War II, has continued to receive accolades and received the Outstanding Academic Title Award from Choice, the publication of the Association of College and University Libraries. The ACLR only recognized 10% of the 13,800 entries they received in 2022.
“Beloved teachers and mentors in the Department of English, McLaughlin and Parry shared their passion for 20th century American theater, film, and literature with so many students over the years,” said Dr. Katherine Ellison, chair of Illinois State’s Department of English. “Their excitement was contagious in the classroom and beyond, as they advised Sigma Tau Delta and mentored English Honors students and Bone Scholars. The Department of English has been shaped by their research, teaching, service, and kindness and is so grateful that McLaughlin and Parry were dear colleagues for 35 years.”
While Parry sorely misses her husband of over 40 years, she takes great solace in knowing that their last major project together has been so well-received.
“I’m so glad we were able to finish this companion volume to our first collaboration, We’ll Always Have the Movies: American Cinema During World War II. Our work together has been a labor of love,“ she said.
Parry will continue her scholarship on early 20th century author Sinclair Lewis and World War II popular culture. She welcomes inquiries from former students and colleagues: separry@IllinoisState.edu
