Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram
The baby直播 has presented two long-term faculty members emeritus honors upon their retirement. Dr. Tina N. Jones has been named Vice President Emerita, and Dr. Alan Brown has been named Professor Emeritus. The two were recognized at the University鈥檚 Employee Recognition Ceremony at the end of the spring semester.
Dr. Alan Brown
After 40 years of service to students, colleagues, and the discipline, Dr. Alan Brown retired from UWA in May 2026, earning the status of Professor of Emeritus of English and Folklore.
In his nomination letter, Dr. Kendrick Prewitt, Chair of the Department of English & History, noted that over Brown鈥檚 40 years at UWA, he made his mark through his passion for teaching American literature and composition to generations of students, his 34-year stewardship of the UWA Writing Center, and his extensive research into ghost lore and regional folklore.
Prewitt also noted that Brown is a rare example of a scholar who has successfully translated academic scholarship for broader public audiences through book clubs, public libraries, senior centers, radio broadcasts, podcasts, and cemetery history reenactments.
Known for meeting deadlines, efficiently handling administrative responsibilities, and traveling frugally on departmental funds, Brown has received the McIlwain Bell Trustees Faculty Award twice and the Nellie McCrory Faculty Service Award. Prewitt described him as setting a consistent standard for the College of Liberal Arts.
Brown has published more than 20 books and numerous articles on ghost lore and folklore, his primary area of interest. His scholarly work also spans the history of Sumter County, composition pedagogy, gothic literature, and studies of authors including Poe, Hemingway, Faulkner, and Twain.
He is well known on campus and beyond for his ghost tours, distinctive mustache, homemade brownies, daily peanut butter and jelly lunches, and his large looping lecture notes handwriting.
Dr. Tina Naremore Jones
Dr. Tina Naremore Jones, a longtime professor of English, retired from UWA as Provost on September 30 after 38 years at the institution, earning the status of Vice President Emerita of Academic Affairs.
In her nomination letter, Jones was recognized for decades of leadership and service to the university, first as a student, then faculty member, and later in multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Economic Workforce Development and then as Provost, becoming the first woman at UWA to be named vice president and first to serve as provost. Over the years, she played an integral role in shaping the University鈥檚 academic programs, strengthened its outreach, and helped define what it means for the institution to serve not only its students, but the entire region.
It was also noted that Jones consistently “led with intention, listening carefully and leading thoughtfully.” Her nomination letter described her conduct as “marked by a level of grace and integrity that is rare, setting a standard not only for leadership, but for how people are treated.”
鈥淭ina believed in this place, and it鈥檚 people,鈥� said Provost, Dr. Amy Jones during the recognition ceremony. 鈥淧eople often assumed we were related鈥攁nd in many ways that never felt entirely wrong, because she had that kind of lasting, personal impact on so many of us at UWA. That impact will be felt for generations鈥攊n our programs, across this campus, and in the lives of the students and communities we serve.鈥�