Florida State University (FSU) is offering access to a range of faculty experts for media coverage of the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated on July 4, 2026. The semiquincentennial marks two and a half centuries since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Faculty from FSU’s Departments of History, English, and Religion—within the College of Arts and Sciences—specialize in various aspects of American history and culture. Many have recently received external grants and fellowships for their research.
The university has identified several faculty members available for interviews in their areas of expertise:
Maxine Montgomery, Robert O. Lawton Professor of English, focuses on African American literature. “Montgomery specializes in African American fiction, contemporary Black women’s novels, and major figures in American literature such as Toni Morrison and Gloria Naylor. Her work focuses on the development and achievements of African American literature within the context of American history and culture.”
Rebecca McWilliams Ojala Ballard and Alison Sperling are assistant professors whose research addresses U.S. literature’s response to environmental issues through fiction, including science fiction.
Andrew Epstein, Professor of English, examines influences like Ralph Waldo Emerson on modern literature: “Epstein’s research has focused on the influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau and the tradition of American pragmatist philosophy associated with William James, John Dewey, Richard Rorty, and Stanley Cavell, in relation to 20th- and 21st-century American literature (especially poetry) and culture more broadly.” He also specializes in Cold War-era literature.
In popular music studies, Barry Faulk focuses on intersections between modern literature and music: “Faulk specializes in intersections between modern literature, popular music and media. He has special expertise in the work of one of the masters of American music, Bob Dylan…” David Kirby writes about roots music; Leigh Edwards explores country music icons like Johnny Cash.
Paul Renfro covers topics related to childhood in America: “Renfro is an associate professor of history. He is the author of two books: Stranger Danger: Family Values, Childhood, and the American Carceral State (Oxford University Press, 2020)…” Michael Creswell provides expertise on Cold War international politics; Katherine Mooney studies cultural history relating to citizenship.
Other specialists include John Mac Kilgore (early U.S. literature), Mercedes “Sadie” Haigler (early republic political culture), Diane Roberts (Southern culture), Kathleen Powers Conti (historical preservation), Anasa Hicks (Caribbean history), Aubrey Lauersdorf (Native South borderlands), Pamela Robbins (pop culture’s historical intersections), Jennifer Koslow (public health history), Sonia Hazard (religion during early U.S.), Rafe Blaufarb (Revolutionary France), Ronald Doel (science/technology innovation), Andrew Frank (Seminole history), and Kurt Piehler (World War II).
These faculty members are available for interviews ahead of America 250 commemorations.
