Presbyterian College English Department

09/18/2026

🎓 Faculty Friday: Meet Dr. Justin Brent! 🎓

“I love my job. I think it’s a privilege to be able to teach at a place like this.”

For 25 years, Dr. Justin Brent has embraced the many opportunities that come with being a professor at a liberal arts college. From his early work as a medievalist to his current research focused on strengthening rural communities, his journey has continued to evolve alongside his passion for learning.

After discovering medieval studies in graduate school, Dr. Brent spent years researching the Middle Ages before looking for opportunities to make his work more collaborative and community-focused. At Presbyterian College, he found an environment that allowed him to grow as both an educator and a scholar.

“The smaller liberal arts college has allowed me to evolve significantly in terms of my research.”

Today, much of Dr. Brent’s research focuses on Clinton and other small, rural communities, exploring transportation, urban design, and community development. Through partnerships with nonprofits and grant-funded projects, he works to help create environments where communities can grow and thrive.

That spirit of community extends into his classroom, where Dr. Brent hopes to incorporate more service learning into his courses. He believes hands-on experiences can help students see the relevance and purpose behind what they learn.

And if you’ve spent much time around campus, you may know Dr. Brent by his bike—often riding to PC or around Clinton—or by his preference for walking barefoot. 🚲

Thank you, Dr. Brent, for 25 years of teaching, research, community engagement, and showing Blue Hose students the many ways a liberal arts education can make an impact! 💙

🔗 https://www.presby.edu/news/faculty-friday-justin-brent/

09/15/2026

09/04/2026

08/08/2026

Written by Grade Aldridge Foster '13!

To increase their durability in the job market, professionals can borrow a page from the English major handbook and start honing their close reading skills.

05/01/2026

🎓 Faculty Friday: Meet Dr. Terry Barr! 🎓

“This is what I should be majoring in… because it doesn’t feel like work.”

Dr. Terry Barr’s love for English began with a high school teacher who introduced him to Shakespeare and the power of storytelling. Though he started college as a political science major, it didn’t take long for him to realize that his true passion was in literature—a realization that would shape the rest of his career.

After discovering a love for teaching during graduate school, Dr. Barr followed that calling all the way to PC, where he began teaching in 1987. Nearly four decades later, he has inspired generations of students through courses ranging from Holocaust literature to film, creative writing, and even rock and soul.

“It got to be fun… and I felt pretty confident.”

Throughout his time at PC, Dr. Barr has embraced the spirit of a liberal arts education—bringing creativity, curiosity, and connection into every classroom. From studying abroad with students in Oxford to exploring interdisciplinary topics, his impact has extended far beyond campus.

As he prepares for retirement, Dr. Barr is still creating, teaching, and inspiring. With a co-authored book on SEC football and religion on the horizon and a final lineup of dynamic courses ahead, he’s making the most of every moment.

Thank you, Dr. Barr, for your decades of passion, creativity, and dedication to Blue Hose students! 💙

🔗 https://www.presby.edu/news/faculty-friday-terry-barr/

04/23/2026

Dr. Brent gets a shout-out!

04/20/2026

Sam Hauff '25