On April 12, Steven M. Bell of the U of A's World Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences passed away while participating in one of his most treasured joys, a cycling race in Emporia, Kansas.   

During his time at the U of A, Bell, an associate professor of Spanish and of the Latin American and Latino Studies Program, undertook a rich, exciting career in every aspect possible over his 33 years with the university.

A memorial service honoring Bell will take place at 2 p.m. today, Friday, April 18, at Mount Sequoyah's Millar Lodge, located at 150 N. Skyline Dr. in Fayetteville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the U of A Study Abroad Program's World Languages, Literatures and Cultures Departmental Scholarship, in memory of Dr. Steven M. Bell. Memories and condolences can also be shared online.

"Dr. Bell was greatly loved by his colleagues, students and all who were lucky enough to know him," said Brian E. Raines, dean of Fulbright College. "He was a dedicated leader, and as a two-time Fulbright Fellowship grant recipient, Dr. Bell was especially passionate about creating international opportunities for his students and always looked forward to leading study abroad trips."

Steven M. Bell joined the World Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department on Aug. 17, 1992, after completing his Ph.D. in Spanish at the University of Kansas. Bell was tenured and promoted to associate professor on July 1, 1996. He taught both undergraduates and graduates and was heavily involved in the department's online Spanish B.A. program. 

His area of research and teaching focused primarily on Mexican literature, Latin American fiction, modern Latino and Latin American literature, as well as Spanish grammar and study-abroad pedagogy.

As a faculty member, Bell was closely involved in grant projects to promote the study of Spanish. In particular, he received funding for several grants from the U.S. Department of Education as well as Title VI and Fulbright Hays programs that focused on curriculum development. These grants helped him focus on and make great strides in:

• Strengthening and integrating international business with world languages;
• Providing secondary teachers with an immersive experience abroad to develop greater understanding of Mexican youth culture in Puebla, Mexico; and
• Focusing on strategic planning and implementation to further Latin American studies at the U of A.  

Bell also received the 100,000 Strong in the Americas, Mary Street Jenkins Foundation Innovation Fund, also sponsored by the U.S. State Department to build north-south mobility in the Americas through team-based programs in service learning.

He also served as the U of A's director of Latin American and Latino Studies from 2000 to 2013. That same final year, he became chair of World Languages, a position he held until summer 2021. During his time as chair, Bell helped the department expand its offerings by hiring no less than eight tenure track faculty members in Arabic, Chinese, Classical Studies, French, German and Spanish to support the growth of WLLC's undergraduate and graduate majors.   

As a Spanish educator, Bell developed the university's popular study abroad program to Puebla, Mexico, not only for the secondary teachers he supported through the Fulbright Hays scholarship, but also for the many, many U of A undergraduate students who benefited from his study abroad program between 1998 and 2024. 

Bell's expertise, his excitement and his remarkable dexterity in running a study abroad program made the experience exceptionally fun and educational for all. And the program will live on — Dr. Brenda Magnetti has assumed the role as director of the Study Abroad Program in Puebla and will take a group of students to Mexico this summer. Thus, Bell's work and legacy continues on!

As a scholar, Bell wrote two books and had numerous articles and chapters published while he also presented numerous national and international conference papers. He also received numerous awards, including the Fulbright College Outstanding Advisor Award, the Arkansas Silo/Surf Student Mentor Research Award and the Teaching Academy Award for the Best Honors Thesis Directed.

Bell additionally served on the international grant review panel for the 100,000 Strong in the Americas program funded by the U.S. State Department from 2022 to 2025 and previously served on the NEH Summer Stipend National Evaluation Panel as well as the Fulbright Hays Scholarship Board National Selection Committee.  

"Steve was very much a deeply important part of our department," said Linda Jones, chair of the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures. "He was driven to promote the Spanish language and its various cultures in many ways — through study abroad in Puebla, grant activities, conference presentations and publications, not to mention the vastly important grants he received to promote such areas."  

"Indeed, Spanish was his life, and he accomplished it brilliantly, fulfilling all his duties — publishing, teaching, training and leading in all aspects of his profession," she added. "Without a doubt, a talented colleague has left us far too soon, but his impact remains among his colleagues and friends, secondary and higher ed professionals, and students of all walks of life."

Isidoro Villa Ligero, instructor of Spanish and Ph.D. student in comparative literatures and cultural studies, shared his thoughts on Bell as well, adding that he was "a dedicated scholar and mentor whose presence left a lasting impact on our academic community."

"He was the first to share the news of my admission to the Ph.D. program, even while he was traveling through Mexico — a gesture that speaks volumes about the kind of mentor he was: thoughtful, supportive and fully invested in the success of his students," Ligero said. "Without hesitation, he agreed to be my mentor and serve on my dissertation committee, generously guiding me through the study of Mexican literature.

"His passion for literature and literary theory was evident from our very first meeting. I still remember how he welcomed me into his office in Kimpel Hall, surrounded by shelves of books he knew intimately. What began as a short visit turned into hours of rich conversation — conversations that would continue to shape my thinking and academic path," he said.

"Beyond the university, Dr. Bell often spoke with joy about going home to Kansas to visit his mother and his love of cycling. These glimpses into his life outside academia reflected the enthusiasm and warmth with which he approached everything he did," Ligero added. "His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched, the knowledge he shared and the care with which he approached mentorship. He will be deeply missed. On behalf of all who had the privilege of working with him, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and students. I will keep him and his family in my prayers."

Outside academia, Bell was known for his adventurous spirit and boundless curiosity. He found joy in cycling; traveling with his wife, Lynne; building the perfect fire in his wood-burning stove; cooking for his family; and keeping the local Amazon delivery drivers fully employed. A lifelong Kansas Jayhawks fan, Bell's dry sense of humor was cherished by all who knew him. He had a unique way of making others feel cared for — never truly content unless those around him were well looked after.

Bell is survived by his beloved wife, Lynne; two sons, Chris (Cassie) and Joe (Mariah); his mother, Mona; sister, Nancy Kincaid (Steve); stepdaughters Nikolette Cochran (Adam) and Stephani Williams (Alex); grandson, Phoenix; and two furry friends, Isa and Eddie. He was preceded in death by his father, Fletcher.