UA Department of American Studies

01/29/2026

Elnora Spencer and Stacy Morgan in conversation

In early December 2025, Professor Morgan conducted an interview with Alabama music legend Elnora Spencer, which is now available on YouTube. Spencer’s music career has encompassed a wide range of genres, including gospel, jazz, R&B, pop, and rock, in addition to being a member of the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame. Spencer also has created a prolific body of visual art over several decades, inspired by subjects such as music, dreams, nature, and the artist’s religious beliefs.

Spencer’s art exhibition, Red Truck Blues, opened at ArtsRevive’s Gallery 905 in Selma on November 6, 2025, and Spencer performed a concert in Selma with her band at ArtsRevive’s Carneal Building on November 13. Dr. Morgan attended both events in preparation for the interview, in which Spencer discusses her wealth of experiences as a musical and visual artist.

Paul Barrett curated the art exhibition, organized the interview, and wrote the grant to create these opportunities. The Alabama Humanities Alliance provided funding for the above-mentioned programs in Selma as well as the interview.

https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D7aml_UB71F8&data=05%7C02%7Cnnewman%40ua.edu%7C66f439c4e54b467e311908de5f433271%7C2a00728ef0d040b4a4e8ce433f3fbca7%7C0%7C0%7C639052939404019179%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5BZDQnfnOm0VEydFY41h3a0%2BSvCOGeTZCc12%2FOJhOYc%3D&reserved=0

01/18/2026

01/13/2026

Memorial Celebration for Dr. Lynne Adrian:
We will gather on Sunday, January 25th at 2:00 at Druid City Brewing Company to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Lynne Adrian.
Please help us spread the word about this celebration by posting and sharing the details. We hope to see you all there,
Bruce, Adrian, Bill, and Alex

01/07/2026

Join Us for an Inspiring Evening with Dr. Jeffrey Melton!
Discover the stories behind The American Open Road—a captivating exploration of road trips and the cultural imagination that shaped them. Through the lens of the rearview mirror, Dr. Melton takes readers on a journey across America’s highways, weaving narrative and nostalgia into a compelling portrait of freedom and adventure.
📚 Book Signing & Discussion
📍 Ernest & Hadley Booksellers
Don’t miss this chance to meet the author, hear his insights, and celebrate the spirit of the open road!

Tuscaloosa's Indie Bookstore - Historic Downtown Tuscaloosa - New, Used, Rare Books & Gifts

12/17/2025

We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved friend and colleague, Dr. Lynne Adrian, Emerita Associate Professor of American Studies, passed away suddenly in her home on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Lynne was a cherished member of the AMS family. After earning her Ph.D. in American Studies at the University of Iowa, she spent her entire career at the University of Alabama, where her scholarship ranged among such diverse subjects as hobo culture, Emma Goldman, and the nature of student learning. But her real métier came as a teacher in the fullest possible sense of the word. Her unflagging investment in the success of her students and colleagues enriched the lives and careers of countless current and former members of the UA community. Her students remember the care she took in facilitating their intellectual growth and professional development; her colleagues recall the wisdom of her counsel and the warmth of her encouragement.

Lynne was also a leader. Her skill, resilience, and perseverance as Chair of American Studies earned respect and recognition at UA and beyond. At her retirement, the College of Arts & Sciences bestowed upon her the James Salem Service Award, an honor of special satisfaction. Someone she loved, admired, and respected, Jim was her immediate predecessor as the AMS department chair. Recognizing her service to the Southeastern American Studies Association (SASA), the largest regional chapter of the national American Studies Association (ASA), her colleagues in that organization created the Lynne Adrian Service Award, now bestowed at its biennial meeting.

Colleagues and alums will cherish memories of the twinkle in her eye, her wry, often satirical humor, and the way her boisterous cackle erupted from her office and echoed down the hall. And they will deeply mourn her loss.

10/06/2025

It is with great sorrow that we must announce the passing of Dr. Edward Tang, Chair and Professor of the Department of American Studies. Dr. Tang was both beloved and important member of our community. He dedicated his career to supporting the Department of American Studies, and he made a difference in our faculty community and the lives of students throughout the campus at the University of Alabama. His presence will be truly missed.

• UA Counseling Center – 205-348-3863 | counseling.sl.ua.edu
• Student Care and Well-Being – 205-348-2461 | bamacares.sl.ua.edu
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – hr.ua.edu/wellness-work-life/employee-assistance-program/

We will follow up with additional details as they become available, including any memorial arrangements or opportunities to honor his legacy.

The Counseling Center at The University of Alabama is here to support your personal growth and academic success. Many students come to counseling to work through challenges, manage stress, or talk with someone in a confidential setting. Our licensed counselors are experienced, caring professionals w...

09/23/2025

Last fall, Professor Morgan was fortunate to accompany Tuscaloosa artist Yvonne Wells on several trips to promote their book The Story Quilts of Yvonne Wells. Recently, the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska released a video interview with Mrs. Wells and Prof. Morgan that was conducted by quilt artist & scholar Theresa Duryea Wong during their visit to the IQM in November 2024. Their conversation begins at approximately the 11:00 mark of this video:

In November 2024, renowned quilt artist Yvonne Wells and University of Alabama professor Stacy Morgan visited the IQM for a presentation surrounding the rele...

05/07/2025

"AMS grad students assist creation of Alabama coal mining archive"

AMS graduate students Christyna Reagan and Allison Pope recently assisted with the creation of a digital archive documenting the experiences of Alabama coal miners through their photographs, documents, and personal objects. Led by Kristina Mullenix of History House Studio and Dr. Allison Grant (Art and Art History), with support from Dr. Julia Brock (History) and History graduate students, this collaborative project is preserving the often-underrepresented stories of coal miners and builds on previous oral history work by UA researchers. Christyna and Allison assisted with interviewing archive contributors and with photographing and documenting the materials brought in by these community members. This project is supported by the Alabama Humanities Alliance, providing an excellent opportunity for our students to learn some of the skills of public history and preservation work, while engaging closely with West Alabama and Tuscaloosa communities.

(Photos courtesy of Allison Grant)

02/28/2025

We're pleased to announce that AMS MA alum Zeb Baker has been promoted to Inaugural Dean of Honors College at Miami University, Ohio.

Zeb Baker has worked with honors education at Miami since 2013

01/29/2025

“Learning From the Ancestors” exhibit organized by Dr. Odle opens at Moundville

A new exhibit, "Learning From the Ancestors: Historical Influences on Contemporary Native Art," opens February 3 at the Jones Museum at Moundville Archaeological Park. The project, supported by a grant from the Collaborative Arts Research Initiative, was arranged by Associate Professor of American Studies Dr. Mairin Odle, Moundville director Dr. Ted Clay Nelson, and Chickasaw Nation Director of Fine Arts Brent Greenwood. The show brings together works by artists from many Southeastern tribal nations, with artist talks and demonstrations scheduled during the run of the exhibit.

https://as.ua.edu/2025/01/22/ua-faculty-staff-and-students-collaborate-on-new-ua-museums-art-exhibit/

01/23/2025

American Studies Alum Philip Shirley Credits Program's Writing Skills for Successful Career

https://as.ua.edu/2025/01/22/american-studies-alum-credits-programs-writing-skills-for-successful-career/

11/21/2024

Two AMS Alumni Named Centennial Graduate Scholars by the UA Graduate School.

Congratulations to Maurice J. Hobson (MA, 2002) and Makiba J. Foster (MA, 2006), who have been named as Centennial Graduate Scholars by the UA Graduate School. This honor was established to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Graduate School with 100 of its distinguished MA and PhD alumni.

Dr. Hobson is an Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Historian at Georgia State University. Ms. Foster is the Librarian of the College at the College of Wooster.

https://tinyurl.com/3rkjf46x
Centennial Scholars - Graduate School | The University of Alabama
The Graduate School at The University of Alabama
tinyurl.com