Tom Hunley

2008 Potter College Award Recipient for Research/Creativity

Tom Hunley


Research and creativity is an integral part of the University's mission. In Potter College, faculty engage in research and creativity that helps us to know ourselves and to understand what it means to be human. Many of our faculty members embrace the idea that scholarship and teaching are intimately related in that discovery and learning occurs when scholarship is conducted by engaging students with faculty in a spirit of discovery and creativity. Dr. Tom C. Hunley, winner of the 2007-2008 Potter College of Arts and Letters Faculty Award for Research/Creativity, exemplifies the ideal of teaching and research/creativity as mutually reinforcing. For him, 'creativity, research, and teaching go hand-in-hand,' and his portfolio is a testament to this.

Hunley received his Ph.D. in English at Florida State University in 2003 and was on the road (and up the hill) to Western Kentucky University shortly thereafter. Since his arrival, Hunley has taught a myriad of classes including Poetry Writing, Creative Writing, Advanced Writing Workshop, and Introduction to Literature to mention a few.

As an Assistant Professor in Potter College's Department of English, Hunley founded and operates his own publishing company called Steel Toe Books. The company has had numerous authors featured on Garrison Keillor's radio program 'The Writer's Almanac' and Ted Kooser's newsletter 'American Life in Poetry.' Reviews of these works are extremely positive and have appeared in premier publications such as Verse, Briar Cliff Review and The Comstock Review.

Hunley's own works include a textbook, Teaching Poetry Writing: A Five Canon Approach; three full-length collections of poetry, Octopus, The Tongue, and Still, There's a Glimmer; and three book chapters, My Life as a Minor Character, Newspring, and Losing My Luggage. In 2008, his poem 'The Dental Hygienist,' from Octopus was featured by Keillor on 'The Writer's Almanac.' For the man who taught his first poetry workshop in a prison, nothing seems out of Hunley's realm. It is obvious he has a sincere penchant for various forms of composition and rhetoric. He not only excels in creative writing, but serves as an editorial consultant, a free-lance reporter, an assistant director of public relations, an editor/grant writer, and a research assistant. When asked about the source of his creative inspiration, Hunley replied that it is simply everyday life and commonalities. In fact, most of his poems in Octopus come from his own daily experiences with his three young children. Octopus depicts the reality that parents often feel the need for eight arms and legs. His poem, 'I Can't Sleep So I'll Tell You a Story,' is a titillating snippet from his own experience teaching poetry to inmates.

Hunley's personal statement included in his nomination for the Potter College Faculty Research and Creativity Award, says he strives to make the point that 'poetry can be intelligent without being condescending; I believe that it can nourish without going down like medicine.' It is this approach that appeals to his students. Hunley views his teaching role as that of a guide, facilitator, and a more experienced member of the class. His students have freedom to invent and explore.

So, what's next for Hunley? In his 'free time' he works on a second textbook. The new textbook is intended for a wider undergraduate audience. He hopes to market it dually as a textbook and a reference book for anyone interested in poetry, from intermediates to proficient. He has coined the book Poetry Gymnasium, as it will be a stew of poetry exercises. Again, the creative spark never ceases to fly in Hunley's career.

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Rachel Sholar
English
Class of 2011

Upcoming Events

CEO to speak at WKU
Category: General

March 18, 2010 - Presentation by Stan Bikulege, CEO - "Leadership and Communication during times of Change and Challenge in the Business World" - FAC Russell Miller Theater - 7:00 p.m.

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WKU Student Wins at COMPA
Category: General

MPA student Jeremy Thompson (pictured right) was on the winning team for COMPA's 2010 Policy Debaters.  His team defended President Obama for bringing "change we can believe in."  Edgar Cantu from University of Texas Pan-American and Patricia Oliver from North Carolina Central University were also on the team.  COMPA is the annual Conference of Minority Public Administrators.  They convened this year in Jackson, Missisippi.

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Billy Collins
Category: General Tuesday, April 13, 2010
7:30 p.m.
Van Meter Auditorium More...