Professor of English
BS, History, Drury College
MEd, English, Drury College
PhD, English, University of Missouri

What made you decide to specialize in English?

As Robert Frost noted, “My object in living is to unite/ My vocation and my avocation/ As my two eyes make one in sight.” In other words, I earned degrees in a subject that I knew I would enjoy studying and thinking about for the rest of my life. I also recognized that the study of English is empowering. If we can express critical thought in strong writing, the world will find us a little harder to kick around.

What was your favorite course in college and why?

A doctoral seminar on Mark Twain was one of my favorites because it was taught by an internationally respected Twain scholar, Dr. Tom Quirk, and it focused on the life and writings of one of America’s most prolific and versatile authors; however, my favorite course was Introduction to Literary Theory because that is where I met my wife, Victoria.

What do you find most rewarding about teaching?

I meet approximately 100 new people every semester and have the opportunity to be a positive influence in their lives.

What advice would you give current students or prospective students?

Remember that there is a great difference between understanding and applying ideas and simply being able to access a fact or a prefabricated thought on a cell phone.

What would you say to a student interesting in pursuing a career in English?

Identify a practical way that English will help you pay your bills, and then use the power of English to contemplate your existence, to rail against wrong and to aid those less fortunate than yourself.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I especially enjoy reading quality biographies, such as John Adams by David McCullough and Mark Twain: A Life by Ron Powers.