Department News

2007 Tennessee Conference of Historians Held at Union University

On September 14-15, Union’s Department of History hosted the 2007 Tennessee Conference of Historians on the university’s campus. The theme of the conference, “Bringing the Past to Life in the 21st Century,” attracted approximately 60 professors, graduate students, librarians, and museum professionals from Tennessee and surrounding states. Some of the colleges and universities represented at the conference included: the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the University of Tennessee at Martin, the University of Memphis, Carson-Newman University, Lambuth University, Mississippi State University, Arkansas State University, and Angelo State University in Texas. Dr. Judy LeForge, Associate Professor of History at Union, served as the conference coordinator.

A reception on Friday evening, September 14, served as the opening event of the conference. Professor Brent Cox of the University of Tennessee at Martin provided a colorful exhibit of Native American artifacts for conference participants to view. Paper presentations and panel discussions on a variety of historical topics were held on Saturday, September 15. Union’s Dr. Keith Bates delivered a paper on “The Extension of Mainstream Fundamentalism: John R. Rice and the Southern Baptist Convention’s ‘Conservative Resurgence.’” Other Union history department members served as panel moderators/commentators. Houghton Mifflin Publishers provided a well-stocked book display at the conference and a continental breakfast during Saturday’s registration.

Because the conference was planned to coincide with the annual Archaeofest at nearby Pinson Mounds Tennessee State Park, the speakers at the Saturday luncheon were experts on Native American history and culture. Mr. Cubert Bell, Sr., spoke about the Choctaw tribe, and Mr. J.J. Kent played flute music associated with the Lakota tribe.

The 2008 Tennessee Conference of Historians will be hosted by Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Union University Phi Alpha Theta student member Hannah Holliday arrives to help out at the Tennessee Conference of Historians (TCH) Friday evening reception. Dr. Stephen Carls, Chair of Union’s Department of History, stands behind her.

Dr. Terry Lindley (left) of Union talks with University of Memphis graduate student Daryl Carter at the TCH reception on Friday evening.

Tennessee Conf. of Historians, this is not a part of the caption, but what follows is - Dr. Keith Bates presents a paper on “The Extension of Mainstream Fundamentalism: John R. Rice and the Southern Baptist Convention’s ‘Conservative Resurgence’” during a Saturday morning panel session.


Tennessee Conf. of Historians, this is not a part of the caption, but what follows is - Union Professor Dr. David Thomas makes comments about papers at a Saturday morning panel session entitled “Faith and Religion in History.”

A Houghton Mifflin Publishers book display includes a U.S. history text entitled American Passages that University of Richmond President Dr. Edward L. Ayers co-authored. Dr. Ayers will serve as the Carls-Schwerdfeger History Lecturer at Union University on October 9, 2007.

Union University President Dr. David Dockery welcomes TCH participants to Union’s campus at the conference luncheon on Saturday.

Union University Provost Carla Sanderson extends greetings to TCH attendees during the luncheon on September 15.

Mr. J. J. Hunt performs Native American flute music at the TCH Saturday luncheon.

Mr. Cubert Bell, the assistant director of the Chucalissa Archaeological Museum in Memphis, talks on the topic of “Chucalissa” during his luncheon address on September 15.


Dr. Judy LeForge, the 2007 Tennessee Conference of Historians coordinator, announces the winner of a book during a drawing at the end of the conference luncheon on September 15. Dr. Stephen Carls stands behind her.

Native American cultural objects are displayed at the Tennessee Conference of Historians. Professor Brent Cox of the University of Tennessee at Martin provided the exhibit for the conference.