On the occasion of Dr. Amy Rauer's promotion to Professor
A beautifully written book about the strength and significance of our so-called 'weak ties'. As a close relationships scholar, this body of work reminds me that although traditional methodologies may overlook the people who populate our day-to-day lives, the impact of these consequential strangers in supporting and helping us maintain our closest ties cannot and should not be underestimated.
Consequential Strangers: The Power of People Who Don't Seem to Matter ... But Really Do
On the occasion of Dr. Julia P. McLeod's promotion to Senior Lecturer
My essay, 'The Woman Proprietor in Elizabeth Stuart Phelps's The Silent Partner: Social Reform Novel as Paradigm of John Stuart Mill's Liberal Political Economy,' is included as Chapter 8 of this book.
The Fictions of American Capitalism: Working Fictions and the Economic Novel
On the occasion of Dr. Karen Lasater's promotion to Clinical Professor
Dr. Swisher was my great grandfather who was a professor at the University of Iowa. He wrote several books mainly on the state of Iowa. His books of poetry were passed down to each new generation. He had at least one son in law, 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren who attended college within the University of Tennessee System.
On the occasion of Dr. Crystal McAlvin's promotion to Distinguished Lecturer
This revolutionary book calls on humans to be better stewards of our planet. Though we face many new environmental challenges from when this book was written, the sentiment still holds true today. As a biologist, I see the relevancy still today.
On the occasion of Dr. Emily Ann Paskewitz's tenure and promotion to Associate Professor
Phyllis Carlin's chapter in this book was a big inspiration for my dissertation work on family farms and my work as an assistant professor to serve the farmers of Tennessee. I was honored to take two classes with her and have her on my master's thesis committee. She was a big inspiration for my teaching and research philosophies.
On the occasion of Hillary Herndon's promotion to Professor
This book is a powerful testament to the power of music, even in the face of incredible adversity. Too often the arts are seen as 'extra,' or a luxury pastime. This book demonstrates how music is a basic human need that can be used to address many of the challenges facing the world today.
Children of the Stone: The Power of Music in a Hard Land
