Joan Rea dedicated more than three decades of her life to Rice University, achieving recognition and establishing herself as a scholar, mentor and advocate for Latin American literature and culture. Rea, professor emerita who passed away Jan. 19 at the age of 95, was among the first faculty members to spotlight the wealth of Latin American literature, earning a reputation for her deep knowledge, passionate teaching and commitment to student success.
“I will always remember her as a professor who cared deeply about her students and worked hard to make sure they were successful,” said David Medina, Rice’s director of multicultural community relations who earned his master’s degree in Spanish at Rice. “She was kind and helpful and had a good sense of humor.”
A groundbreaking figure in Rice’s history, Rea became the university’s first female faculty magister at Wiess College, serving from 1984-89. She was a notable mentor and adviser known for her zeal and dedication.
Rea also expanded Rice’s global reach by establishing the university’s study abroad program in Santiago, Chile. She led the program for a decade, immersing students in the language, literature and cultural nuances of Latin America.
“She was our leader in Chile and made every moment of that trip so spectacular,” alumna Michelle Nasser ’99 shared on social media. “I have thought of her so many times in the past 25 years and had hoped to see her again.”
“(She) was my Latin American literature professor and mentor, especially after I won a travel award from Weiss College to spend a summer in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 1988, which profoundly shaped the trajectory of my life and writing,” alumna Michele Wucker ’89 wrote on social media.
Born in New York City in 1929, Rea followed an unconventional path that reflected her boundless curiosity and independence. She earned her bachelor’s degree from New York University before moving to Houston, where she completed a master’s at the University of Houston in 1964. In 1970, she earned her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, cementing her career in academia. Before joining Rice’s faculty in 1968, she taught at UT Austin, UH, Texas Southern University and Bellaire High School.
Beyond her teaching, Rea was a member of the Rice Players and remained active in the theater community after retirement. Rea also engaged in numerous cultural and social organizations including Global Connections, where she served as a director for more than two decades. Even as she retired in 2001, Rea remained a presence at Rice, accepting the title of professor emerita.
“I know a lot of amazing people but only a few who lived their life a fraction as well as she did,” Wucker wrote.