“The Library’s role as keeper of the University’s intellectual output is often overlooked," said Dean of Libraries Carrie Cooper. “University libraries are playing an increasing role in the dissemination and organization of scholarship being produced within a campus community. The Focus on Scholarship series is a way to tell our community of scholars we’re interested in preserving their research and accomplishments.”

Each 10- to 15-minute “Focus on Scholarship” webcast will feature an Eastern community member discussing scholarship, how it informs their teaching, and, as appropriate, the supportive role of the Libraries and Graduate Education and Research. At least one interview will be released each month during the fall and spring semesters, and be regularly featured in the EKUpdate and on the EKU Libraries website. The EKUpdate will also continue listing current faculty and staff publications.

The Library currently buys two copies of books edited or authored by a member of Eastern’s faculty or staff – one for the library’s circulating collection and another for safe keeping in the University Archives.

Dean of Graduate Education and Research Dr. Jerry Pogatshnik said: “In these interviews, we hope to capture just a small segment of the scholarly and creative activities taking place at Eastern Kentucky University. They demonstrate the important contribution of scholarship to the intellectual environment.”

The series kicked off with Dr. Michael Austin, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, author of “Wise Standards: Philosophical Foundations for Christian Parenting” and editor and one of 18 contributors to “Football and Philosophy: Going Deep,” a collection of essays that examine the popular sport through a philosophical lens. The Austin interview, and all subsequent programs, can be seen at www.library.eku.edu/focusonscholarship and at www.mpc.eku.edu/focus.

Other interview subjects in the series will include Derek Nikitas, author of “Pyres” and “The Long Division;” Dr. Linda Frost, editor of “Conjoined Twins in Black and White: The Lives of Millie-Christine McKoy and Daisy and Violet Hilton;” Dr. Tammy Horn, author of “Bees in America: How the Honeybee Shaped A Nation;” and Dr. Vic Kappeler, who ranks third nationally in the production of books related to criminal justice.

Conducting the interviews will be Cooper along with Pogatshnik and Dr. Jaleh Rezaie, associate dean of graduate education and research. The series, produced by EKU Media (formerly the Media Production Center), will also be made available at the Power of Maroon YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/powerofmaroon.

The “Focus on Scholarship” webcast will eventually be housed in a digital repository, a comprehensive archive of faculty and student scholarship that will include electronic thesis and dissertations for all graduate students at EKU.

“Having graduate thesis and dissertations online will open up the doors for access,” Rezaie said. “Our students and faculty will enjoy the benefits of having their research indexed and available online in full text.”