YOUNGSTOWN — Corey Andrews, a professor of English at Youngstown State University, has been named the second Grace Ruth Memorial Endowed Professor of English at the school.

The professorship was bestowed at a ceremony Tuesday at DeBartolo Hall on the YSU campus.

“We especially thank Bob Reeder, YSU Class of 1981, for giving back to his alma mater in such a significant way,” said YSU President Bill Johnson. “What makes this gift so special is Bob is honoring his grandmother and recognizing her love for poetry and literature in doing so. Congratulations to professor Andrews for earning the distinction as the Grace Ruth Endowed Professor in English.”

Andrews joined YSU’s faculty in 2005. He received his undergraduate degree from Miami University, Ohio, and his master’s and doctorate degrees from Ohio University.

He has published many articles, book chapters and three books on Robert Burns, who has been considered Scotland’s national poet since the 18th century.

“It is a great honor to be named the Grace Ruth Professorship in English; her selfless dedication to others helped many people in the Youngstown community during her lifetime,” Andrews said. “I hope to uphold the memory of her kind and charitable nature as I serve the professorship in her name.”

Grace Ruth was a lifelong resident of Youngstown whose dream to attend college and ultimately become a lawyer was cut short by her father’s untimely death. An avid reader and skilled writer, she graduated from high school in just two years. She tutored underprivileged students, taught Sunday school at John Knox Presbyterian Church, was the president of the PTA at Garfield and Williamson elementary schools, and was a Cub Scout den mother. She supported civil rights long before the protests of the 1960s, and she gave generously to charities aimed at helping the poor.

The research project Andrews will conduct as the Grace Ruth Professor in English will explore Burns’ legacy in 19th and 20th Century Britain, focusing particularly on fictional and nonfictional representations of the poet’s life.