Dr. Michael DeArmey
Dr. Michael DeArmey, professor of philosophy and religion at the University of Southern Mississippi, was named the Charles W. Moorman Distinguished Alumni Professor in the Humanities by the College of Arts and Letters.
The Professorship is awarded biennially for a two-year term. It provides as much as $34,000 over two years for a research project, proposed by a senior professor from among the university's humanities departments, including history, English, foreign languages and philosophy.
Moorman, a member of the English faculty from 1954-90, served as chair of the department and later as vice president of Academic Affairs for the university. He was a renowned authority on the work of Geoffrey Chaucer.
"I am honored to receive the Moorman Distinguished Professorship," Dr. DeArmey said. "Professors need institutional support to achieve their research and publication goals, and their achievements establish the university's reputation.
"Dr. Charles Moorman, whom I knew well, would have liked my project proposal, the necessity for a new world order which would, among other things, preserve and enhance the environment," he added.
Dr. DeArmey, who is the seventh recipient of the award, joins the ranks of previously-named distinguished humanities faculty: Dr. Philip Kolin, Dr. Neil McMillen, Dr. William Scarborough, Dr. David Berry, Dr. Gary Stringer and Dr. Maureen Ryan.
Holding master's and doctorate degrees from Tulane University, Dr. DeArmey's areas of specialization are American philosophy, philosophical theories of human nature and ethics. Additionally, he has done postdoctoral work at Yale University. He is currently writing a book on evil.
His daughter, Lisa, is a nurse in the Memphis area and he enjoys golf, antiques, and his yellow-headed parrot, Alfie.
Dr. Michael A. Miles was named director of the School of Music and assumed his position as “The Music Man” in July 2008.
Leon Contavesprie recently earned Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for The Pillowman by the 20th Annual Big Easy Entertainment Awards (held March 24, 2008) at Harrah’s Casino Theatre.