Long-time English Professor Named to Endowed Chair

Michael Carson, 1966 UE alumnus and professor of English at UE since 1969, has been named the Melvin M. Peterson Professor of English at UE. This honor comes as a part of a gift to the University from Peterson earlier this year.

Peterson is an honorary trustee of the University and long-time friend of the University who endowed a chair in English literature. Peterson said he provided the funding in order to enable the University to select an individual to hold the chair who is not only widely recognized in the field of literature -- either by reason of his or her stature as a scholar or by reason of his or her outstanding creative achievement -- but also an individual who is an outstanding mentor to the students. "The recipient should be an acknowledged inspiring and resourceful teacher, a friend of students, and a model for his or her fellows. The recipient's character should reflect the gentility, humanity and wisdom of the liberal arts tradition," Peterson said.

Margaret McMullan, UE English Department chair, said “Mike Carson is the Melvin M. Peterson Professor of English that Melvin Peterson had in mind. Mike is not only a first-rate scholar and writer, he is the kind of teacher who inspires both students and colleagues. He brings Shakespeare and Milton to life in his classes,” she added. “He is the reason many of our students come to this University.”

Carson holds a 1966 Bachelor of Arts degree in literature from UE. McMullan said Peterson's support at UE has also funded a free, public reading series which brought in writers of international stature and talent. He has also provided the resources for an upcoming creative writing workshop for UE alumni which will be implemented in Summer 2003. “Now Mr. Peterson has gifted UE with the Melvin M. Peterson Endowed Chair in English Literature, which reflects Mr. Peterson's steadfast interest in great literature, inspirational teaching, and a quality liberal arts education,” McMullan said.

The University of Evansville, a private, United Methodist Church-related, comprehensive university provides quality academic, cultural and social experiences, which prepares its students to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. UE is ranked as a top Midwest university by U.S. News and World Report. UE has three programs of study in the Department of English that are offered to its 51 majors and countless numbers of students who take general education courses. English literature is a major designed for students who see themselves either headed toward graduate or professional school or who simply want a solid liberal arts background. Creative writing provides a natural edge which makes an individual more innovative and expressive in whatever profession he or she chooses to pursue. UE offers a full-array of writing courses in poetry, fiction, playwriting, screenwriting and creative non-fiction and also offers a bachelor of fine arts degree – one of only 10 such programs in the nation. The third program in the English Department is English education – providing instruction for those aspiring to be a high school English teacher. In the past decade, all English education majors who sought teaching positions upon graduation have been placed.