The Blue
Tribune
The Blue Tribune is your place to learn about all things Covenant and keep up with stories from campus and beyond. By guiding you through the different aspects of Covenant, we'll help you decide if you want to pursue your very own Covenant experience.
The English Department: An Assortment of Experts
Covenant’s English department is home to many diverse personalities. Whether you like poetry, classic literature, contemporary literature, or anything in between, you will find your match in one of the full-time English professors. Each professor is an expert in their area of interest, and each comes with his or her own quirks.
Graphic Novel Enthusiast
Dr. Gwen Macallister is the department chair, and loves contemporary literature. She teaches a class of the same name, along with Southern Literature, Literature Across Cultures, and sometimes a special topics course on graphic novels, among others. Dr. Macallister has included one graphic novel in each of her courses for several years. She has a passion for diverse narratives, and could tell you anything you want to know about Shusaku Endo’s Silence or Denise Levertov’s poetry. The proof is in the pudding for Dr. Macallister, so if you take one of her courses, read with details in mind!
Poetry Extraordinaire and Richard Wilbur Fan
Renaissance literature is Dr. Bill Tate’s specialty, but poetry is what he calls a party! Scansion is his idea of a good time. He can tell you about the intricacies of Shakespeare’s iambics, wax his own poetic about Richard Wilbur’s poem “Transit,” and point out Robert Frost’s tricky meters. Dr. Tate knows his expertise, and he has probably written a paper on whatever subject you are thinking about, which makes him a great professor to discuss your ideas with! Take Creative Writing: Poetry with Dr. Tate if you really want to train your ears for rhythm.
Inklings Expert with an Imaginative Mind
Dr. Heather Hess is your friend if you are interested in C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, or any adjacent Inklings and inspirations. She specializes in British Literature, Victorian Literature, Children’s Literature, and more. Analyzing the child in literature is one of her favorite activities. Be ready to ponder deep questions if you take a class with Dr. Hess! And be ready to hear delightful tales of gardening and gaming, as these are some of her passions.
Creative Nonfiction: the Bee’s Knees!
Like Dr. Tate, Dr. Robert Barham could be called a Renaissance man because they share expertise in that area. Dr. Barham has many endearing traits, not the least of which are his quirky turns of phrase. He will affirm your contributions to class discussion as being “the bee’s knees, the ant’s pants, and the cat’s pajamas!” Besides Renaissance literature, Dr. Barham enjoys creative nonfiction, which he teaches a class on, and has published nonfiction work in the online journal River Teeth. Dr. Barham loves class discussion, and is always amenable to having class outside on a sunny day.
Writing Center Director with Many Creative Hats
Dr. Sarah Huffines is the director of the college’s Writing Center and has a lot of love for freshman English composition and creative nonfiction. She teaches Introduction to Creative Writing and is sure to inspire young writers that they can write well with lots of practice and weekly writing exercises. Her feedback on creative writing is constructive and skill-nurturing all at once, making her a favorite of English majors with writing concentrations. She shares a love of gardening with Dr. Hess—make her day by asking her about daffodils!
Covenant’s English professors are a menagerie of brilliance and personality. English majors of all persuasions can find a professor to share their interests. They nurture students’ creativity by listening and challenging them, making the English major a truly transformative experience.
Learn more about our English major and other academic programs here!