Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Vice President for Academic Affairs W. Mark Tew bestowed the University’s prestigious Houston Award for Teaching Excellence on Professor of History Michael Toomey, PhD. The award was presented during LMU’s annual Awards and Student Recognition Night on April 19.
The Houston Award honors faculty who have exhibited exemplary professional teaching achievements characterized by clear, abundant, persistent demonstration of high standards of teaching. A member of the faculty of the Paul V. Hamilton School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences since 2008, Toomey has climbed the ranks from assistant professor to full professor and has served as assistant dean of the school for the past five years. He also serves as the chair of the department of humanities and fine arts. He has served on the enrollment management and coordination committee as well as the fundraising review committee.
“Dr. Toomey is a superb teacher and is very popular with the students,” Professor of History and Lincoln Historian Charles Hubbard shared in nominating materials. “In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he has served as advisor for the History Club and other student organizations. He works closely with students as both teacher and advisor. He encourages and contributes to the collegial atmosphere in the Paul V. Hamilton School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.”
Toomey directs the Lincoln Life and Legacy program which all LMU students are required to complete. In that role he produced the book, In His Words, Readings from the Life of Abraham Lincoln (Kendal-Hint Publishers, 2014). The textbook is used by hundreds of LMU students enrolled in Lincoln 100.
“Dr. Toomey’s leadership has been critical to the success of LMU’s Lincoln courses.” Associate Professor of English Jacques Debrot said. “These classes are unique to the University and have shaped its core identity and highest ideals.”
Toomy has contributed to many peer-reviewed book chapters, articles and professional presentations. His research and teaching interests include American frontier history, Tennessee history, Native American history and Appalachian history. He has worked closely on projects with noted scholars including Dr. Earl Hess, professor emeritus at LMU.
Prior to joining the faculty at LMU, Hess served as managing editor of The Journal of East Tennessee History from 1999 until 2010 and curator of history for The East Tennessee Historical Society from 1999-2007. He was associate professor of history at Knoxville College from 1991 to 1999 and served as dean of academic affairs from 1997 to 1999. Toomey began his career as a teaching associate in the depart of history at the University of Tennessee.
He has also served as a panelist for The National Endowment for Humanities Division of Public Programs. Toomey was a historical consultant for television productions including “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “The Mysterious Lost State of Franklin.” He is a member of the East Tennessee Historical Society, Tennessee Historical Society, Southern Historical Association and American Historical Association.
Toomey earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and holds a master’s and PhD in history from the University of Tennessee.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or e-mail at admissions@lmunet.edu.
CAPTION: Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Celeste Church, Paul V. Hamilton School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Martin Sellers and Vice President for Academic Affairs W. Mark Tew present History Professor Michael Toomey (second from right) with the LMU Houston Award for Excellence in Teaching at the LMU Student Awards and Recognition ceremony on April 19.
