Cassandra Bagley
Instructor of English (1996, 2003); B.A., Wesleyan College; M.A. (ABD) Emory University
Ms. Bagley teaches ENG 099: Basic Writing II as well as ENG 211: Introduction to Literature and ENG 413: Literary Criticism. Her fields of specialization are British Literature, Women's Studies and Desktop Publishing. In the Spring, she will be teaching the new COM 364: Destop/Web Publishing course. Aside from teaching experience, Ms. Bagley has extensive experience in publications and web development.
Guido Edmund Caspani
Associate Professor of Romance Languages (1993); B.A., Consolata College; M.A., The Catholic University of America; Ph.D., University of Kentucky
A scholar who is versed in a variety of Romance languages, Dr. Caspani teaches both Spanish and French, as well as occasional courses in Italian. He also regularly offers IGS classes.
Professor Danny Collum
Associate Professor of English (2005). B.L.S., Loyola University of New Orleans; M.F.A. George Mason University
Danny Collum regularly teaches ENG 101, 102 and 211, and upper-level classes in creative writing and print journalism. He is also the faculty advisor of the KSU Creative Writers’ Club and co-advisor to The Kentucky River, KSU’s student-edited journal of art and literature. Collum is the author, most recently, of the novel, White Boy (Apprentice House 2011). He has also written three nonfiction books (Black and Catholic in the Jim Crow South, Rising to Common Ground, Black and White Together) and edited a fourth (African Americans in the Spanish Civil War). He is a contributing editor and monthly columnist for the Washington, DC-based magazine, Sojourners, and monthly pop music critic for the U.S. Catholic.
Contact:
414C Hathaway Hall
Kentucky State University
400 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 597-5983
E-mail: danny.collum@kysu.edu
G. Todd Davis, Ph.D.
Chair of the Literature, Languages, and Philosophy Division and Associate Professor of English (2004); B.A. California State University, Northridge; Ph.D. Miami University of Ohio
Dr. G. Todd Davis is an Associate Professor of British Romanticism and Critical Theory at Kentucky State University. He received his Ph.D. from Miami University in Oxford, OH in 2003, and a B.A. in English from California State University, Northridge, in 1997. In addition to his responsibilities as Chair, he regularly teaches upper-division English courses as well as courses in Integrative Studies and for the Whitney Young School of Honors. He has a passion for, some would say an obsession with, Lord Byron, on whom he has published numerous book and journal articles as well as an extensive annotated bibliography of Byron in Fiction on Romantic Circles. He is in the last stages of work on his book, tentatively entitled Fictional Byron, which explores the ways that Byron has been fictionalized by numerous authors, poets, and directors, in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Contact:
414 Hathaway Hall
Kentucky State University
400 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 597-5979
Fax: (502) 597-6764
E-mail: todd.davis@kysu.edu
Beulah Downey
Assistant Professor of Spanish (1994); B.A. University of Louisville; M.A. University of Kentucky; Ph.D. University of Kentucky
Dr. Downey regularly offers classes in elementary and advanced Spanish (SPA 101, SPA 102, SPA 201, SPA 301). Dr. Downey has also taught one of her Spanish classes (SPA 101) as an online class through the Kentucky Virtual University.
Dr. April D. Fallon
Professor of English (1997); B.A., North Central College; M.F.A., University of Pittsburgh; Ph.D., The University of Louisiana–Lafayette
Dr. April D. Fallon is a Professor of American Literature, Creative Writing, and Integrative Studies at Kentucky State University. She received a Ph.D. in 20th Century American Literature and Creative Writing from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, an M.F.A. in Poetry from University of Pittsburgh, and a B.A. in English from North Central College. She regularly teaches upper level English and Creative Writing courses. She also teaches in KSU’s Integrated Studies program. She has recently published papers on E. E. Cummings, Lorine Niedecker, and poetics. Her book, Universe of Discourse, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2011.
Contact:
407H Hathaway Hall
Kentucky State University
400 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 597-6316
Fax: (502) 597-6764
E-mail: april.fallon@kysu.edu
Dr. Erin Gilles
Assistant Professor of Journalism and Public Relations(2009). B.A. University of Southern Indiana, M.A. Murray State University, Ph.D. University of Kentucky
Dr. Gilles teaches various journalism and PR courses, including JOU 204, 361, 362, 366, 370, 371 and oversees the journalism internships for print journalism and PR. She also advises the KSU PR Club, called Image.Dr. Gilles has recently published two organizational communication case studies on business ethics, and has written two book chapters, one on email communication and a second on marketing. Dr. Gilles’ research interests include DTC advertising, entertainment media, and the interplay of race, class, and gender in the mass media.
Stephen Gullette
Instructor of English (2007). B.A., Georgetown College; M.A. Miami University
Mr. Gullette currently serves as Coordinator of the Composition Program and regularly teaches developmental English, Freshman Composition and Introduction to Literature. He also teaches Desktop Publishing, usually as an online course.
Florence P. Lovell
Instructor of English (1984); B.A., University of Kentucky; M.A., University of Kentucky
Since earning her degrees in English literature, Ms. Lovell has focused much of her additional study on research into reading theory and the psychology of motivation. An experienced and well regarded faculty member, Lovell regularly teaches ENG 103, College Reading, and has taught ENG 088, Reading, as well as English Composition (ENG 101) and Children's Literature (ENG 260). A new course offering, Contemporary Atlantic Canadian Literature (ENG 397, Special Topics) is the product of Lovell's research into African–Canadian, Gaelic, Mi'kmaq, and Acadian cultural influences in the works of critically acclaimed Canadian authors.
Saleema R. Mustafa
Instructor of English (2008); B.A. Emory University; M.A. Agnes Scott College
Saleema Mustafa is a former secondary education instructor and radio journalist in Atlanta, GA and Cape Town, South Africa. She enjoys traveling to Central America and has made reoccurring trips to San Jose to study Spanish at La Universidad de Costa Rica. Her scholarly research has included Guts and Glory: The Formation of the African American Studies Program at Emory University (1963-1972), the progression of early 20th century black caricatures through the modern-day comedian, and literature of the African Diaspora. She is currently teaching College Reading, Composition, and African American Literature.
Carolyn Nemeth
Instructor of English (2006). B.A., M.A. Western Kentucky University
Ms. Nemeth is a former Franklin County public school teacher who regularly teaches developmental English and Freshman Composition. She is an active participant in our Quality Enhancement Program.
Johnna Lenn Puttoff
Instructor of Reading (2006) AA from Henderson Community College, Henderson, KY BA from Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY MA, Reading Specialist from Murray State University, Murray, KY
Johnna Puttoff comes to KSU from a background in public school teaching. Ms. Puttoff teaches ENG 088 and 103, both reading classes. She is active in the Kentucky Education Association and the International Reading Association. Interests include reading, watching TV crime shows and traveling. Her email address is johnna.puttoff@kysu.edu or jputtoff@aol.com.
Julia Oliver Rajan
Assistant Professor of Spanish (2008). B.A., M.A., Ph.D. University of Illinois at Chicago
Dr. Oliver Rajan regularly teaches Spanish classes (SPA 101 and 102). Her area of specialization is in Theoretical Linguistics.
Daniel R. Rutledge
Assistant Professor of Languages (1967). A.B., M.A., University of North Carolina
Dr. Rutledge is an experienced teacher of foreign languages and offers classes in Spanish and French, as well as having taught classes in Russian, Latin and German. He is also a regular instructor of Integrative Studies (IGS) classes and sometimes teaches History of the English Language. He currently serves as the secretary of the Japan Studies Association. E-mail: daniel.rutledge@kysu.edu
David Shabazz
Assistant Professor of Journalism (2007)
Mr. Shabazz teaches many of the courses for the Journalism/Mass Communications major and serves as advisor to the campus newspaper, The Thorobred News.
George W. Shields
Professor of Philosophy (1985); A.B., M.A., University of Louisville; Ph.D., University of Chicago. Further study: Oxford University
Dr. Shields teaches the entire Philosophy Program course catalogue from PHI 200 - Introduction to Philosophy to PHI 490 - Survey of Mathematical Logic as well as occasional offerings in Integrative Studies and WYC Preceptorials. A former President of the Kentucky Philosophical Association and recipient of two appointments as lecturer at NEH Faculty Training Institutes, Dr. Shields has published some 73 articles, introductions, critical studies, reviews and other pieces in scholarly books and journals, including Dialogue, Encounter, International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, The Journal of Religion, 7he Modern Schoolman, Process Studies, and The Southern Journal of Philosophy, among many others. He has delivered to date some 70 scholarly presentations, including invited and juried papers at international, national, and regional conferences. Despite all of his commitments and projects, he is one of the most accessible and approachable administrators on campus. Dr. Shields has also been selected as a KSU Distinguished Professor. E-mail: george.shields@kysu.edu
Helen Smith
Assistant Professor of English (2007). B.A. University of California at Berkeley, M.A. San Francisco State University, Ph.D. University of California at San Diego
Dr. Smith regularly teaches both developmental English and Freshman Composition classes as well as Introduction to Literature, Early British Literature, Advanced Grammar, History of the English Language, Shakespeare and ENG 499: Capstone. Her area of specialization is Medieval and Renaissance English Literature.
Her most recent publications are "Cambridge at Sea: Byrsa Basilica and the Commercialization of Knowledge" in Early Modern Academic Drama, ed. Jonathan Walker and Paul D. Streufert (Ashgate Studies in Performance and Early Modern Drama, Ashgate Press, December 2008); and “Speech, Metamorphosis and Misogyny in the Medieval French Lay of Melion” in The Kentucky Philological Review, Vol. 26 (forthcoming).
Peter A. Smith, Ph.D.
Professor of English. B.A., M.A., Long Island University; Ph.D., University of Notre DameDr. Smith regularly teaches ENG 101 and 211, both as traditional and online courses. He is currently the most experienced online teacher at Kentucky State University, having taught online classes every semester since the inception of these classes at KSU. His specialization is in American Fiction, and he also teaches the Survey of American Literature classes (ENG 324, ENG 325) and Special Topics and Literary Heritage classes on American Literature. He also often teaches Shakespeare, Non-Western Literature and Integrative Studies classes. As the division's resident computer expert, Dr. Smith emphasizes computer-based instruction in all of his classes. He was the recipient of the University’s Distinguished Professor Award in 2010.
Contact:
404 Hathaway Hall
Kentucky State University
400 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 597-6317
E-mail: peter.smith@kysu.edu
Karah Stokes, Ph.D.
Professor of English (1997). M.A., University of Kentucky; Ph.D. University of Miami
Karah Stokes regularly teaches Freshman Composition, Introduction to Literature, and African American Literature, as well as IGS 301. Her field of specialization is American women writers of color, especially Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Gloria Naylor and Louise Erdrich. View a sample of her literary criticism. She has recently begun to publish on Charles W. Chesnutt and Octavia E. Butler.
Dr .Stokes has also published poems in Pluck! The Journal of Affrilachian Culture and Literature, Journal of Kentucky Studies, KSU's The Kentucky River, and other literary magazines. A song she wrote, "The Mourning Cloak," was recorded by Laurie Lewis and The Right Hands, a bluegrass band based in California, on its 2006 release The Golden West, and saw airplay on XM Radio.E-mail: karah.stokes@kysu.edu
Contact:
414F Hathaway Hall
Kentucky State University
400 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 597-6439
E-mail: karah.stokes@kysu.edu
Jerry P. Trammell
Professor of English (1983). A.B., Berea College; M.A., Ph.D., Ohio University
Dr. Trammell regularly offers classes in ENG 102, ENG 211, Creative Writing, and other upper-level literature courses, particularly Non-Western Literature. He is a respected and widely-published reviewer, poet, essayist, and creative writer, and a specialist in the forms of haiku and haibun. Of particular note is his seminal essay on haiku in the West, which defines the form and distinguishes it from conventional English lyric poetry. The award-winning essay has been anthologized, along with selections of Trammell's haiku and haibun. Presently, Professor Trammell is focusing his energies on the novel. Recently completing his manuscript, Stripping Room, he is currently at work on another. E-mail: jerry.trammel@kysu.edu
Kenley Trammell
Instructor of English (2008). B.A. Berea College; M.A. University of Louisville
Mr. Trammell regularly teaches both developmental English and Freshman Composition.
Sandra Trammell
Instructor of English (1985). B.A., Ohio University; M.A.T., University of Louisville
An experienced instructor of English, Ms. Trammell regularly offers classes in ENG 089, ENG 099, ENG 101 and ENG 102. She is also an expert in children's and adolescent literature and regularly teaches our classes in those subjects (ENG 260 and ENG 390). She is currently studying for the doctoral degree at the University of Kentucky. E-mail: sandra.trammell@kysu.edu
Catherine Vedder
Assistant Professor of English (2004); AA, Jefferson State Junior College; BA, MA, University of Alabama-Birmingham; PhD, Cornell University
Dr. Vedder teaches English 089 and 102; British Literature Surveys; History of the English Language; and Literary Criticism. She specializes in 19th-century British Literature and Literary Theory. Her research focuses on topics in fiction and gender, including the relationship between literature and science. E-mail: catherine.vedder@kysu.edu