This shelf in Dr. Gabie Kerr, Professor in Management, holds a collection of memories from her travels to England, but her framed photo of Dolly Parton harkens back to East Tennessee. Photo courtesy of Emma Henson.
It’s easy to forget that the persona students get to see is often only one facet of a professor’s personality. Just as students decorate their dorms with curios that speak to them, faculty at MC have made their offices a reflection of their interests and talents. We asked professors and faculty from various departments what their favorite, or most meaningful, item in their office is, and why, and the variety of answers is a great representation of the diversity that can be found on the campus of a liberal arts college.
Dr. Scott Henson, Professor of Political Science, displays his Indiana Jones hat in his office, along with many other mementos from his travels. Photo courtesy of Emma Henson. Roller Derby has been a huge part of Professor of Sociology Dr. Rayanne Streeter’s life since her undergraduate years. She proudly displays her posters from the various competitions she has participated in. Photo courtesy of Emma Henson. Dr. Rachel Ponder, Professor of Criminal Justice, exhibits sentimental art, an article about the MC Crime Talk club (of which she is the advisor), and a pom-pom together on her wall, all symbols of encouragement or accomplishment. Photo courtesy of Emma Henson. Wood burning is an activity that Dr. Andrew Gunnoe, Professor of Sociology, enjoys doing in his free time outside of work. This portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is displayed against the backdrop of the fall foliage outside of his office window. Photo courtesy of Emma Henson.The office of Dr. Will Phillips, Professor of English, looks like what you might imagine an English professor’s space to look like: shelves and shelves full of books. However, the most meaningful items in his office are gifts he has received. An African wood carving from his wife and a framed poster from “The Hobbit” both speak to him in special ways. Photo courtesy of Emma Henson.Ms. Saij Miller-Wildsmith, Assistant to the Vice President and Dean of the College, has an office with a welcoming and serene atmosphere. For her, these Buddhist prayer flags are easily her favorite item in her office. Made in a village in India and given to her as a gift, they are respectfully displayed so that she can easily view them and be reminded of the meaning they hold. Photo courtesy of Emma Henson. An avid listener of 80s English pop, Dr. Jeff Bay, Professor of Statistics, displays his collection of CDs. This assortment includes music from Tears for Fears, The Smiths, The Cure, Duran Duran, and other iconic pop bands. Photo courtesy of Emma Henson. This piece of glass was given to Mr. Kim Trevathan, Professor of Writing Communication, by a friend and fellow environmentalist who swam the length of the Cumberland River as a way to bring attention to the issue of water pollution. The glass was produced using sand from the same river. Photo courtesy of Emma Henson.
