Diego Millan Receives the Jack Rosenbalm Prize for American Humor The assistant professor of English and Africana studies was cited for his article on Chester Himes’ book ‘If He Hollers Let Him Go.’

By Brian Laubscher
June 20, 2024

The American Humor Studies Association (AHSA) announced that Diego A. Millan, assistant professor of English and Africana studies at Washington and Lee University, will receive the Jack Rosenbalm Prize for American Humor for his article “Joking at the Limits of Protest in Chester Himes’ If He Hollers Let Him Go” that appeared in the September 2022 edition of the journal Studies in American Humor.

The Jack Rosenbalm Prize includes a $200 stipend, a one-year membership in the AHSA and paid registration for the next AHSA conference held July 10-12 in Saratoga Springs, New York. The prize is awarded to the best article on American humor produced by a pre-tenure scholar, graduate student, adjunct professor or independent scholar published in a peer-reviewed academic journal or a book.

“I admire so many of the past winners,” said Millan. “It is truly an honor to be included in the list of Rosenbalm recipients, especially for an article about one of my favorite authors. I first read ‘If He Hollers Let Him Go’ as an undergraduate and have loved reading and teaching Chester Himes ever since. I’m also thrilled to share this prize with Grace Heneks and her fantastic article.”

The contest is judged by a three-person committee appointed by the AHSA board. They praised Millan’s focus on humor as a novel approach to Himes and cited Millan’s clear writing, strong organization and skillful close readings.

“These are all skills that I center in my teaching, so it was especially encouraging to see them cited by the award committee,” Millan said.

Millan, a core faculty member for the Africana studies program, has been with the university since 2018 and recently received tenure and promotion to associate professor effective July 1. Millan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Bowdoin College and later earned a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in English literature from Tufts University.

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