Hal PoeDr. Hal Poe, Charles Colson Professor of Faith and Culture at Union University, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America this past spring for his new biography of Edgar Allan Poe entitled “Edgar Allan Poe: An Illustrated Companion to His Tell-Tale Stories.”
“I was truly surprised,” said Poe, who is a descendant of Edgar Allan Poe. “One doesn’t expect to win an award like this. It’s one of the most prestigious literary awards in the country, comparing with the National Book Award or a Pulitzer Prize. It was a huge honor.”
The Mystery Writers of America established the Edgar Awards to recognize the best mysteries each year, and the best critical biographical books related to mysteries. Awards are given in such categories as best novel, best short story, best screenplay, best children’s book and best teleplay.
Bobby RogersThe Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize from the University of Pittsburgh Press is considered one of the top 10 prizes in American poetry. Professor of English Bobby C. Rogers has been a finalist for this prestigious award a number of times, but learned in 2009 that he was named the winner for his work tentatively entitled "Paper Anniversary"
The award includes not only recognition, but also publication of Rogers' work. It is the culmination of several years of waiting for the best publication opportunity. Rogers began his quest for this result during a faculty research leave in 2005.
Rogers also has been highly successful in the classroom. His creative writing students have been accepted for graduate study in prestigious Master of Fine Arts programs such as New York University, Boston University, University of Virginia and Ohio State University.
Emily LeanUnion University business instructor Emily Lean joined three colleagues to tackle a difficult and sensitive question: how does intimate partner domestic violence impact the workplace?
The answers to that disturbing but increasingly relevant question resulted in an article named best paper of the year at The Academy of Management Annual Meeting in Chicago. The international association has more than 19-thousand members in 108 nations.
The article was titled "Coming into the Light: Intimate Partner Violence and its Effects at Work." It appeared in Academy of Management Perspectives, a journal published by the Academy of Management.
Even for scholars with decades of experience, awards of this magnitude can be elusive. Lean says she was surprised by the honor, which comes as she begins as a Union faculty member. Lean's co-authors are Anne O'Leary Kelly and Carol Reeves of the University of Arkansas, and Jane Randel of Liz Claiborne, Inc.
Walt PadelfordAccustomed to teaching courses in his specialty, economics professor Dr. Walton Padelford was surprised when several years ago he was asked to teach a course in business ethics. Little did he know at the time that this new teaching venture would afford him the opportunity to cultivate his interest in and appreciation for the life and works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and result, ultimately, in the writing of his recently released book Bonhoeffer and Business Ethics.
While teaching business ethics, Padelford realized that the established method of case study analysis and examination of standard ethics works would be enhanced if viewed through the eyes of faith. Acknowledging that his own teaching did not reflect the unique contribution of Christianity to ethics, Padelford redesigned his course to include Bonhoeffer's seminal work Ethics. Having incorporated Bonhoeffer's theories into his teaching, Padelford hopes that his students will be encouraged to be real disciples of Christ in the workplace, seeing their jobs as a place of sanctification.
When asked what advice he would give faculty regarding the relationship between their scholarly interests and their teaching, Padelford stressed the importance of staying involved in your discipline through reading and staying involved in discipleship. Eventually the two may come together and present a good writing opportunity. Padelford also encourages faculty to find a fellow scholar who can provide a fresh perspective and serve as a sounding board. For him, his former student and now colleague Landon Preston served in this capacity.
Bonhoeffer and Business Ethics was published by BorderStone Press and is available at Amazon.com and at the LifeWay store on campus.
