January 6th, 2004
Contact: Rita Mitchell, University Editor
Academic Speaker Series continues with Finkelman's presentation
MARTIN, Tenn. - "Creating the Covenant with Death: The Making of the Pro-Slavery Constitution," is the title of the next offering in the University of Tennessee at Martin Academic Speakers Series. The presentation by Dr. Paul Finkelman will be at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 22, in the Watkins Auditorium in the Boling University Center at UT Martin. His appearance is coordinated by the Honors Programs on behalf of the entire university. The event is open to the public and there is no admission. A public reception will follow the speech.
Dr. Finkelman is the Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Tulsa College of Law, where he teaches constitutional law and legal history. He holds a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University, earned a master's degree and doctorate from the University of Chicago and has been a Fellow in Law and Humanities at Harvard Law School.
Finkelman has published more than a dozen books and 70 articles on the law of American slavery, the First Amendment and American race relations. He is currently writing a history of the fugitive slave laws in America and is the Organization of American Historians Distinguished Lecturer.
For more information, contact Dr. William Zachry at zachry@utm.edu or 731-881-7436.
UT Martin Chancellor Nick Dunagan, who has worked with Black for many years, said Black is the right person to fill the interim position.
"Frank Black has served the university well, both in the classroom and as an administrator," Dunagan said. "He's stepping forward to lead the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences during an important time, and I have every confidence in his ability to move the college ahead."
Black said he looks forward to the challenge of leading the college through a critical period.
"Mid-year leadership changes are demanding on organizations any way one looks at it," Black said. "I am energized by this leadership opportunity, because it is another chance and another way for me to help advance the university and the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences in particular."
Before coming to UT Martin in 1988, Black served as vice president for academic affairs at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. He also was associate dean for academic affairs from 1984-85 at the University of South Florida and the assistant dean in the College of Human Development and Learning from 1978-84 at Murray State University.
Rakes said a national search will begin this spring semester to fill the dean's position permanently.
