Influence is as great as it is elusive, and I would like to change that. A girl named Madeline in... more Influence is as great as it is elusive, and I would like to change that. A girl named Madeline in my undergraduate, senior seminar, "Disaster and the Environmental Imagination," with the conviction of a saint, told me that I did not need to read John Milton, and that I had not missed much in not taking a course on him. Dr. Welch's kindness, soft spoken humor (and criticism), and elephantine recollection of just about everything Milton convinced me that I had missed a great deal in not having read Milton before graduate school. His willingness to advise this intrepid project, with roots in Ralph Waldo Emerson's "American Scholar," has been a great gift. His open door and hospitality, even at his detriment, have not gone unnoticed. His words of encouragement spurred me on to write, read, and rewrite. Dr. Coleman introduced me to Emerson's work, and I devoured it. From her time spent answering my countless questions about the graduate program, to advising me to develop a professional identity, to sharing her thoughts with me that a divinity school or an MFA program are her recommended next steps for me, she has been an invaluable teacher and mentor. Dr. Heffernan challenged me to "get my hands in the dirt," and to think about the things happening on the ground, not just about the magnificent art icons of an age. I plan to embrace his love of "the facts" in a future study on Christian mysticism, and cherish the independent study he conducted with me, and his friendship and mentorship. Dr. Jennings, I have accrued a lifelong debt to you these past two years. Dr. Garner, your honesty revealed to me my shortcomings, and for that, I am grateful. Dr. Commander, that serendipitous meeting in May 2017, when you mentioned the Fulbright, might just have been providence. Dr. Haddox, your mentorship and course have not only strengthened my scholarship, but also my faith. I owe Redeemer Church of Knoxville a great deal for prompting me to think meta-critically about the discipline of literary scholarship, and to think ecclesiastically and theologically about Milton. You have widened the narrow path by shrinking me down to size. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for "filling up our fridge," when you came into town. Your acts of generosity have done so much for Rachel and me. Your gift is giving, and mine, perhaps, must be receiving. Rachel, my wife, I would like to thank you for standing beside me these past two years. Your grace softens my seriousness. My doubts find rest in your Trust. Whatever happens next, we will go together with Jesus.
Influence is as great as it is elusive, and I would like to change that. A girl named Madeline in... more Influence is as great as it is elusive, and I would like to change that. A girl named Madeline in my undergraduate, senior seminar, "Disaster and the Environmental Imagination," with the conviction of a saint, told me that I did not need to read John Milton, and that I had not missed much in not taking a course on him. Dr. Welch's kindness, soft spoken humor (and criticism), and elephantine recollection of just about everything Milton convinced me that I had missed a great deal in not having read Milton before graduate school. His willingness to advise this intrepid project, with roots in Ralph Waldo Emerson's "American Scholar," has been a great gift. His open door and hospitality, even at his detriment, have not gone unnoticed. His words of encouragement spurred me on to write, read, and rewrite. Dr. Coleman introduced me to Emerson's work, and I devoured it. From her time spent answering my countless questions about the graduate program, to advising me to develop a professional identity, to sharing her thoughts with me that a divinity school or an MFA program are her recommended next steps for me, she has been an invaluable teacher and mentor. Dr. Heffernan challenged me to "get my hands in the dirt," and to think about the things happening on the ground, not just about the magnificent art icons of an age. I plan to embrace his love of "the facts" in a future study on Christian mysticism, and cherish the independent study he conducted with me, and his friendship and mentorship. Dr. Jennings, I have accrued a lifelong debt to you these past two years. Dr. Garner, your honesty revealed to me my shortcomings, and for that, I am grateful. Dr. Commander, that serendipitous meeting in May 2017, when you mentioned the Fulbright, might just have been providence. Dr. Haddox, your mentorship and course have not only strengthened my scholarship, but also my faith. I owe Redeemer Church of Knoxville a great deal for prompting me to think meta-critically about the discipline of literary scholarship, and to think ecclesiastically and theologically about Milton. You have widened the narrow path by shrinking me down to size. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for "filling up our fridge," when you came into town. Your acts of generosity have done so much for Rachel and me. Your gift is giving, and mine, perhaps, must be receiving. Rachel, my wife, I would like to thank you for standing beside me these past two years. Your grace softens my seriousness. My doubts find rest in your Trust. Whatever happens next, we will go together with Jesus.
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