Princeton IvyAn image of the ivy that grows on the walls of Princeton University's buildings. This particular building had plaques attached noting by whom (what class) the ivy was planted.

"Tell someone to do something, and you change their life—for a day; tell someone a story and you change their life."

—N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God, p. 40.

At the heart of much of what I do as a scholar, student, father, and husband is reflected in N. T. Wright's above quote. Telling stories, crafting tales, mythopoeia—these uniquely human endeavors seem to have their inception in our desire to commune with one another, sharing in the various experiences we all have in this world. Whether reading literature, studying theology, drafting white papers, or authoring web pages, we are all working to tell our story. Some stories are known for their brevity, some for their epic qualities, some for the indelible mark they leave on our lives; whatever the effect, each story is endowed with a certain significance because each is a thread in the great tapestry that is the Human Story. Thus, in my research and teaching, I seek to engage the Human Story and its many beautiful shades (joy, sorrow, fear, and forgiveness, to name a few)—listening often, speaking when needed, and learning always.

I am a 4th year Ph.D. candidate in Medieval Literary Studies at Purdue University. My primary expertise is in Old English with a secondary emphasis in Middle English and History of the English Language. My passion for things medieval grows out of my faith, which informs the way I interpret the significance of language, myth, and story.
my family
I have taught for the nationally renowned Professional Writing and ICaP programs at Purdue and for the prestigious Medieval Institute at Western Michigan university. My dissertation examines the differences between words for glory and fame in Old English literature as they move between texts containing secular heroes and heroines and those containing Saints—the latter of which I would argue should be read as Christian heroes and heroines of the Middle Ages.