معرفی
Thomas Alan Holmes is a Professor of English in the Department of Literature and Language within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), where he has taught since 1996. A first-generation university graduate, Holmes earned his PhD from the University of Alabama and continues his educational journey as a current graduate student in ETSU's Appalachian Studies Department.
- BA (English major, Philosophy minor), 1981 - University of Alabama
- MA, 1985 - University of Alabama
- PhD, 1990 - University of Alabama
- BA (Women's Studies major, Appalachian Studies minor), 2018 - ETSU
- Graduate Certificate, Appalachian Studies, 2024 - ETSU
Professor Holmes specializes in Appalachian Literature, Southern Literature, and African American Literature. His research spans creative writing and scholarly analysis, with recent publications including his poetry collection In the Backhoe's Shadow (2022) and co-edited volumes on country music lyricists, Jeff Daniel Marion, and Gerard Manley Hopkins. His work appears in journals such as The South Atlantic Review, Appalachian Heritage, and The Valparaiso Poetry Review.
His scholarly output shows consistent engagement with Appalachian and Southern literary traditions, with particular attention to place-based writing and regional identity. The poetry collection In the Backhoe's Shadow explores themes of memory, place, and belonging within the Appalachian context, while his critical work examines both historical and contemporary writers from these traditions.
- College of Arts & Sciences Distinguished Research Award (2014-2015)
- ETSU Graduate Council's Graduate Mentor Award (2020)
As an active mentor, Professor Holmes has guided numerous students while continuing his own educational journey, recently developing online courses in American literature, African American literature, and Appalachian literature. His commitment to lifelong learning is evident in his pursuit of additional degrees while maintaining his teaching responsibilities.
