American Studies Professor at UA Receives Top Honor

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. Jim Salem, professor of American studies at The University of Alabama, is the 2007 recipient of the American Studies Association’s prestigious Mary C. Turpie Award.

The Turpie Award, established in 1993, is given to the candidate who has demonstrated outstanding abilities and achievement in American Studies teaching, advising and program development at the local or regional level. The award is presented at the annual meeting of the American Studies Association.

Salem was selected for the award based on statements from colleagues, current students and former students attesting to his dedication to teaching and the quality of his leadership of the department, including development of the new American Culture course.

In announcing the honor, the Turpie Award Committee wrote:

“Our committee was moved and thrilled by the outpouring of esteem from your colleagues, former colleagues and many former students at the University of Alabama. They attest to your inspiring leadership and collegiality, brilliant teaching, and talent for innovation. They rave — yes, that’s a fair word — about the devotion and passion you have brought to developing an outstanding American Studies Program and leading it for more than 20 years.

“They praise your consensus building, unflagging support for colleagues, interdisciplinary imagination, savvy management of the ‘system,’ and unstinting generosity to individuals and to the American Studies ‘family’ at Alabama.”

The award ceremony will be Oct. 12 in Philadelphia as part of the annual ASA Convention that will take place Oct. 11-14.

Previous Mary C. Turpie Prize winners include:

2006: Michael Steiner, California State University, Fullerton

2005: Joanna S. Zangrando, Skidmore College

2004: Norman R. Yetman, University of Kansas

2003: Daniel Horowitz, Smith College

2002: Eric J. Sandeen, University of Wyoming

2001: Robert A. Gross, College of William and Mary

2000: Jesper Rosenmeier, Tufts University