BARRY A.VANN
EXPERIENCE:
Served as a division head and chief academic officer; successfully developed
a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, including wildlife
enforcement, geography, and community development; international
teaching and lecturing experiences; successfully participated in fund raising
campaigns; taught a variety of courses at all levels on higher education;
published research articles and books and have made a number of media
appearances.
EDUCATION:
University of Glasgow
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Ph.D. Church History and Geographical and Earth Sciences
Dually awarded by the Departments of Geographical and Earth Sciences
and Department of Church History; 2006
Research focused on the application of theories related to demographic and
mobility transition and community formation in Britain and Ireland up to
the eighteenth century. Special attention was given to the synergy of
Protestantism, political, economic and demographic conditions, including
migration flows, between Great Britain and Ireland in the early modem and
modem periods.
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.); Adult Education and Sociology; 1993
Coursework and research included advanced work on the identification of
social power structures, program planning and assessment, individual
perceptions of deterrents to education, managing community and
organizational change processes, qualitative and quantitative research
methods, demography, rural and urban systems, and social stratification.
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Master of Science (M.S.); Geosciences; 1990
Special emphasis was on environmental problems and ecological solutions,
natural resource management, and human-environmental relationships, air
photo interpretation. Thesis was on the delineation of factors affecting
wood fuel consumption and environmental impacts in Warren County,
Kentucky.
Barry Vann
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, Tennessee
Bachelor of Science (B.S.); Social sciences and history with a minor
emphasis in earth sciences; 1988
Special emphasis was on sociology and geography courses with strong
support in economics and history. Earned teacher (grades 7-12)
certification in geography, history, economics, sociology, government, and
earth sciences.
Graduated M agna Cwn Laude and second in my class.
POST GRADUATE SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCE:
2008-Present
FOUNDING CHAIR AND DIRECTOR OF DOCTORAL
PROGRAMS (EdD and PhD) IN LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSOR
HIGHER EDUCATION AND GEOGRAPHY
University of the Cwnberlands
Williamsburg, Kentucky 40701
Built campus and community support for the EdD and PhD programs in
community and higher education leadership, secured SACS accreditation
(awarded in June 2008 with successful follow-up visit in February 2009),
recruit students and faculty, coordinate scheduling of classes, host
receptions, public speaking, teach research methods, direct dissertations,
and teach hwnan and environmental geography courses.
2003-2008
FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF APPALACHIAN DEVELOPMENT
STUDIES AND GEOGRAPHY AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF
GEOGRAPHY
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN 37752
Developed degree program in Appalachian Development Studies and a
minor in geography. Taught courses in American history surveys, Colonial
America, sociology, community development, human geography, geography
of religions, geography of Appalachia, British history, Reformation history,
and environmental and physical geographies, and taught teaching methods
courses. Advised students, served on committees, led in NCATE review,
SACS assessment process for two degree programs, budgeting, and
scheduling classes.
2001 to 2003
HONORARY TEACHING FELLOW
1be University of Dundee
Dundee, Scotland
DDl 4HQ
Provided instruction Oectures and tutoring) on 19111 and 20111 century
American history for a variety of courses in the American Studies program.
Barry Vann
Particular focus of my teaching and tutoring dealt with applying Herbert
Spencer's notion of social Darwinism to twentieth century rural and urban
America.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
Miami, Oklahoma 7 4354
Reorganized academic units; created office of dean of enrollment
management; restructured testing center, led in the rewriting of the catalog
and redesign of class schedules; established new television station; hosted
social issues-based television talk show; developed cooperative agreement
with area vocational centers and area industries; developed new programs.
1998 to 2001
1993 to 1998
•
1994 to 1998
•
1991 to 1993
•
1991 to 1993 *
CHAIR, DIVISON OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND ASSOCIATE
PROFESSOR OF GEOGRAPHY AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Delta State University, Cleveland, Mississippi 38733
Taught courses in physical and human geography, natural resource
management, sociology, methods of pedagogy for the social sciences, social
science research methods, conducted and published applied sociological
research, supervised student teachers in geography and history, led in the
development of an undergraduate program in wildlife enforcement, and
graduate programs in community college teaching, criminal justice, and
community development Developed and managed budgets, compiled
NCATE and SACS self-study Assessment portfolios, and administered
eleven degree tracks.
INSTRUCTOR OF SOCIOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY (ADJUNCI1
Holmes Community College
Avent Drive
Grenada, Mississippi 38901
Taught night classes in geography and sociology.
ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTOR
College of Education's Academic Development Office
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Conducted learning skills courses. Developed various student workshops
addressing test anxiety and text preparation; mentored high-risk students.
TEACHER
Fayetteville City Schools
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Taught history and geography-related subjects, on-site high school
completion course, general education, TQM, English as a Second Language
(ESL).
Barry Vann
* Positions were held concurrently
PUBLICATIONS
(Excluding presentations and proceedings journals)
Vann, B. A. & Hinton, B. E. (1994). Workplace social networks and their
relationship to student retention in on-site GED programs {in northwest
Arkansas}. Human Resource Development Quarterly. �(2). 141-151.
Vann, Barry Aron. (1995, online 2006). Dropouts' Perceptions of Deterrents to
course completion in an on-site GED program {in northwest Arkansas}. Human
Resource Development Quarterly. (6).4,.
Vann, Barry Aron. (1996, 2006). "Leaming Self-Direction in a Social and Experiential
Context," Human Resource Development Quarterly, Vol. 7, No. 2 (Summer),
121-130.
Vann, Barry Aron. (1998). From »1ience They Came: Rediscovering the South� Celtic­
Gennanic Heritage. Sugarcreek, Ohio: Carlisle Printing.
Vann, Barry Aron. (2003). "1ne Birth of a Protestant Trans-Irish Sea community." The In'sh
Ministers' Fratemal Newsletter, Church of Scotland. no. 4, pp. 1-3.
Vann, Barry Aron. (2004). Rediscovering the South� Celtic Hen"tage Oohnson City, Tennessee:
Over Mountain Press).
Vann, Barry Aron. (2005). "Presbyterian social ties and mobility in the Irish Sea culture area,"
Joumal ofHiston'cal Soaolo.w(2005), 18, 226-253.
Vann, Barry Aron. (2005). "The Cumberland Gap," Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail
Association; http://www.danielboonetrail.com/historicalsites.php ?id-82
Vann, Barry Aron. (2006). "The Irish Sea Factor in the Birth of the Scots-Irish," TheJoumal of
East Tennessee History. No. 77, 27.
Vann, Barry Aron, (2007). "1ne Geotheological Imagings of a Trans-Irish Sea Scottish
Community, 1560-1690," Geography ofReligions and BehefSystems, Vol. 2, 1,
pp. 28-56.
Vann, Barry Aron. (2007). "Irish Protestants and the Creation of the Bible Belt," Journal
of TransatlantJ'c Studies, Vol. 5 (Spring).
Vann, Barry Aron. (2008). "The Seed of Ulster and Manifest Destiny," Ulster Hen"tage
Mag&ine;http://www.ulsterheritage.com/scotsirish/scotsirish.htm
Vann, B. A. (2008). In Search of Ulster-Scots/and: The Birth and Geotheolo!Jl'cal
Barry Vann
Jmagings ofa Transatlantic People (Columbia: The University of South Carolina
Press).
V ann, Barry Aron. (2008). Invited review of Elaine G. Breslaw, Dr. Alexander Hamilton
And Provindal Amen'ca: Expanding the Orbit ofScotJish Culture (Baton Rouge:
LSU Press, 2008), American Histon'cal Review.
Huntington, Ellsworth and Barry Vann (2008), Ellsworth Huntington, Geography toward
History: Studies in the Meditemmean Basin, Mesopotamia, and Central Asia
(Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press).
Vann. Barry Aron (2009) uSpace of Time or Distmce ofPlace": Presbyterian
Diffusion in South-westem Scotland Ulster, 1603-1690 (Berlin, Germany: VDM
Publishing)
Vann, Barry Aron (2009), Invited review of 1nomas Kiffmeyer, Refonners to Radkals:
The Appalachian Volunteers and the War on Poverty (Lexington: University of
Kentucky Press, 2008), in Thejoumal ofEast Tennessee History, No. 80,
834.V.
Vann, B arry Aron (2011). Puni.an Islam: The Geoexpansion ofthe Muslim World
(Amherst: Prometheus Books).
Vann, Barry Aron (2012), The Forces ofNature: Our Quest to
Conquer the Planet (Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books).
Vann , Barry Aron (September, 2012). Invited review of Warren R. Hofstra ed., Ulster lo
Amen"ca: The Scots Irish Migration Expenence, 1680-1830 (Knoxville: University
of Tennessee Press, 2011),Jouma/ ofAmen'can History.
Vann, Barry Aron. (2012). "The Galveston hwricane of 1900." Momingin Amen'ca. Vol. 3, (1).
1-6.
Vann, B arry Aron. (2012). "Natural Disasters: The World's Deadliest Places." The Hu/Tmgton
Post (April 11, 2012). hln)://www.huffmLttonpostcom/ban:y-a-vann/natural-disasters­
deadliest b 1414761.html?ref-books
V ann, Barry Aron (Under review). "Biblical and Qur'anic Climatology: Geotheologies of a Wetter
and Cooler Past" Joumal ofHistorical Geography.
Vann, Barry Aron, (September, 2012). Invited review of Warren R. Hofstra
ed., Ulster lo America: The Scots Irish Migration Experience, 1680-1830
(Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2011), Annals ofthe Assodation of
Amencan Geographers.
Vann, Barry Aron (December, 2013). "No Bishop No King and Bitter Clingers." Nomocracy
Barry Vann
in Politics. hap://nomgcracyinnolitics.com
Vann, Barry Aron (February, 2014). "Natural Liberty in the Bible Belt: An Explanation of
Conservative Voting Patterns in Southern Appalachia." www.nomocracyirmolitics.com.
Vann, Barry Aron; Simpson,Jennifer; and Aaron N. Coleman. (2014). "The Development of
Vannsimpco Leadership Survey: A Delineation of Hybrid Leadership Styles. SBSJoUI71al
ofApplied Business Research. Vol. 3, pp. 28-39.
Honors, Media Appearances and Publications:
"Outstanding Alumni Award" 2012
Roane State Community College
http://oakridgetoday.com/2012/12/02/roane-state-names-2012-outstanding-alumni/
"Spirited Debate" with Lauren Green on the Fox News Channel, September 30, 2011
http:/lvideo.foxnews.com/v/1192917398001/expansion-of-islam-in-the-world .
"Science Fantastic" with Professor Michio Kaku, April 14, 2012.
"Ecotopia" with Stephen and Susan Tchudi, July 17, 2012
http://ecotopiakzfr.net/2012/07/
"Natural Disasters: rlne World's Deadliest Places." The Bullington
Post (April 11, 2012). http://www.huffingtonpostcom/bany-a-vann/natural-disasters­
deadliest b 1414761.html?ref-book.s
"After the Gathering: Irish Diaspora" Ouly 29, 2014), Antrim Matters Episode� Irish TV,
http://www.irishtv.ie/antrim-matters/.
"Celtic Influences in Tennessee and the South," hosted by Stephanie Aldrich, Tennessee Life,
Channel 2 PBS, Knoxville, Tennessee, filmed on February 12, 2014 (aired on March 15,
2015).
Scotland and the Klan, a BBC documentary (Fall 2006).
Critical Review of Pun'tan Islanr.
"One issue has dominated world affairs for the first decade of the 21st century, and that has been
what political scientist Samuel P. Huntington called the "Clash of Civilizations"-in particular,
relations between the Islamic and Western worlds.1nus, to suggest, as so often is expressed, that
this book is "timely" would be accurate, but also trite and understated, for this book is perhaps the
best geographical text produced on this subject since 2000. Too often, this clash is viewed as one of
fundamentalist Islamic terrorism versus the rest of the world when, in fact, the clash is more subtle
and nuanced and the cultural differences too profound for simplistic explanations. Vann
Barry Vann
(geography, Univ. of the Cumberlands) provides a subtle, nuanced study of Islam, and the world is
better for it Its strengths lie in the author's detailed knowledge of Islam and particularly the content
of the Koran, but the inclusion of Islam in the US and the role of Islam in the Arab-Israeli conflict
are especially worth reading. Pwit;m Islam is of utmost
significance in finally taking the topic away from the emotional to where it needs to be-rational and
explanatory discussion. Summing Up: Essential. All levels/libraries. - R. W. Ben.iel� Central
Connecticut State University. Choice Cunent Reviews ofAcademic libranes, Vol. 49, No 8 (April
2012).
Critical Review of Forces ofNature: Our Quest to Conquer the Planet.
"The book includes 12 chapters. The first half of the book is focused on human ecology and how
it differs from the other two approaches. The next few chapters focus on various forces of nature.
�The last two chapters examine population growth and migration patterns and how these affect life
in the Americas. An important part of the discussion of human ecology is the concept of the
ecumene, the places humans most like to live. These arc predominantly coastlines and temperate
climates. With 7 billion plus people, most of the best spaces are filled, forcing people to live in less
desirable places. Another interesting idea is gcotheology, the idea that human actions against the
environment will result in punishment �This is recognized in legal terms as "Acts of God." Forces
of nature discussed include hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, including information on how
we think these are produced. Wc spend a lot of time and money attempting to predict these forces
and to protect people from them, while at the same time human populations in the most
threatened areas continue to grow. Climate chanbre is discussed, including our efforts to reduce
greenhouse b'ilS emissions. Some have a strong geotheological perspective that climate change is
nature's retribution for our energy-wasteful society.
Over.ill this is an interesting, well-written book, discussing some important ideas about how
we sec and deal with the naturnl work, something we often forget we arc a part of. Human ecolob'Y
is an important compromise between the bleak pessimism of environmental determinism and the
extreme optimism of possibilism and is worthy of further study." Donald Logson Jr. "NSTA
Recommends," National Science Teachers Association Ouly 10, 2012);
http://www.nsta.org/recommends/ViewPmductasnx?ProductlD-21189.
Critical Review of In Seard1 of Ulster Scots Land
"In recent years there has been an increase in interest in the contribution of the Ulster-Scots to the
making of America and in 2008 Billl)' Aron Vann, associate professor of geography at Lincoln
Memorial University in Tennessee, published a new volume entitled In Search of Ulster-Scots
Land: The Birtl1 and Geotheologicaf Imaginings ofa Trdllsatlantic People 1603-1703.
The book deals with both the movement of Scots to Ulster and then the movement of
Ulster-Scots to America. Five of the book's six chapters deal with the seventeenth-century
formation of an Ulster-Scots cultural community and the author examines population statistics and
geographical features to argue that the sea between Ulster and Scotland served as a bridge rather
than a barrier.
According to David P King, who reviewed the book for the]oumaf ofSouthem Religion-.
"Vann's interest goes beyond genealogy and geography. He argues that it is the religious thinking of
the Ulster-Scots that shapes their unique culture. Diffused through their immigration to America,
Barry Vann
these beliefs have also left a significant cultural imprint on the South. Vann declares that the
conservative belief system, political ideology, and landscapes of the Ulster-Scots are mirrored in
the contemporary culture of the "Bible Belt."'
This is a major contribution to the academic study of the Ulster-Scots and one that should
be on the bookshelves of Ulster-Scots enthusiasts as well as libraries in Northern Ireland." Nelson
McCausland, Ml.A, (Constituency: North Belfast), Nelson's View.
h(!p://theministerspen.blogspot_com/2009/12/in-s.earch-of-ulster-scots-laruLhtml.
Licenses, Memberships and Organizational affiliations:
Tennessee teacher license grades 7-12 in American and world history, geography, earth sciences,
government, and economics.
Association of American Geographers (AAG)
Fellow of the National Geographic Society
Former Chair of the Education and Symposia Committee, Wilderness Trail Corridor Alliance
Former member of the Board of Trustees, Mission Health
Transatlantic Studies Association
Phi Alpha Theta (history honor society)