Best Wishes to Dorsey on his Retirement Voyage

Anna Hsia

Dr. Peter Dorsey has been teaching at the Mount since 1987 and has been part of many changes. He has seen the core curriculum change and evolve. He has had the opportunity to develop 10 different courses and teach multiple sections of the first-year seminar, American Experience and Western Tradition in Literature, in addition to courses in his specialty, American Literature. 

“As the core changed over time, my teaching changed with it,” Dorsey said, including courses like First-Year Symposium, Modernity in Literature and America in the World.  

Julie Shetterly (C’26) had Dorsey for her Modernity in Literature course. She appreciated how he maintained relationships with students even after they left his class. She said Dorsey still stops to speak with her and asks her how she is doing.  

Professor of English Dr. Indrani Mitra can attest that Dorsey’s attentiveness to students is one of his notable qualities.  

“As a teacher, Dr. Dorsey gets to know each student and takes a keen interest in their all-around development, on and off campus,” Mitra said. She added how amazed she is at how quickly he learns students’ names and remembers them long after they have graduated.  

“This is an incredible gift that speaks to his careful attention and care for every student who crosses his path,” she stated.  

Mitra said she admires Dorsey “immensely as a teacher, scholar, mentor and friend.”  

Associate Professor of English Dr. Jack Dudley said that Dorsey has been an excellent source of advice and guidance. Dudley also noted that he has published an essay in the “Publications of the Modern Language Association,” the top journal in English and Literary studies, which reflects Dorsey's scholarly excellence.  

Another colleague of Dorsey, Associate Professor Dr. Sean Lewis, has worked with him for 12 years and said he has been continually impressed by Dorsey’s student-centered approach and dedication to the Mount. Lewis said that Dorsey routinely went out of his way to support students in need and extended that same care during his time as dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He added that Dorsey modeled “good citizenship” at the Mount and will be greatly missed.  

For Dorsey, his students are the most rewarding part of his career! 

“Mount students have been wonderful—fun, funny, smart, respectful and engaging,” he remarked. “It’s been a rare pleasure to experience them all and to learn from them.”  

Dorsey will also miss his longtime colleagues and the sense of community at this university. “So many great, talented and dedicated people,” he said. “I’ve learned so much from them—not just knowledge, but how to be a better person.”  

In retirement, Dorsey plans to stay active with research and writing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he wrote a novel inspired by his upbringing at Jersey Shore and plans to have it published, on top of having a few other ideas. He is also working to complete two scholarly projects. The Echo teach congratulates Dorsey on his retirement and wishes him all the best for his golden years!