Emeritus & Retired Faculty

I was hired as English Department Head at Western in 1984, stepped down from that position in 1994, and retired from teaching in 2004. Earlier, I did my doctorate at Notre Dame and served in English departments at several other universities, including a year as a Fulbright Professor in Finland. My academic interests have always been focused on American and Southern literature and film, and I have taught and published widely in these areas. The highlights of my work here include my efforts in revising our general education courses, establishing our creative writing programs, and creating our Robert Penn Warren Center. Although active in the profession before and after my two decades at Western, I look back on those years as the center of my career. In retirement, I continue to be active professionally, with three books at academic presses over the past twelve years.