Brian Anderson ’88, '90
B.A. History
M.A. English
Charlotte, N.C.
THEN:
Anderson says of his time as an undergraduate student that he was fortunate to have many mentors including, Dr. Margaret McFadden, Peter Petschauer, Dr. Bud Gerber, Dr. Tom Keffe and Dr. Bill Ward who all saw his individual value, helping to affirm his personal hopes and goals. Some classes that Anderson notes as having been especially useful in preparing him for his professional life after college were Honors English, Bibliography and Research, and Women and Film.
Anderson says that he was especially grateful that he was able to afford his education, despite not having outside funding. He is also growing the mountaineer family with his son now studying in his junior year at Appalachian.
Photo of Brian Anderson from his time at Appalachian State University. Photo submitted.
NOW:
Upon graduation, Anderson spent his time teaching part-time at Appalachian for the Department of English and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. He also taught part-time at Caldwell Community College until his full time position as a lecturer at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) that he has held since 1997. In new colleagues, Anderson most appreciates flexibility and breadth of experiences, both academically and otherwise.
“I teach writing and literature. And enjoy my colleagues and students very much,” Anderson said.
When reflecting on his time as an undergraduate student, Anderson wishes he had taken advantage of more of what Appalachian had to offer such as seeing more films, attending more lectures and playing more intramural sports.
As an Appalachian student, Anderson felt that the academic standards and expectations gave him a foundation for the same kind of expectations he employs in his own teaching and research today. Anderson has the hope of being able to pass along those same standards to his own students and school community.
Current photo of Brian Anderson. Photo submitted.
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About the Department of English
The Department of English at Appalachian State University is committed to outstanding work in the classroom, the support and mentorship of students, and a dynamic engagement with culture, history, language, theory and literature. The department offers master’s degrees in English and rhetoric and composition, as well as undergraduate degrees in literary studies, film studies, creative writing, professional writing and English education. Learn more at https://english.appstate.edu.
About the Department of History
The Department of History offers a broad curriculum in local, national, regional and world history at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, which encourages history majors to develop a comprehensive approach to human problems. The study of history is an essential part of a liberal arts education and offers valuable preparation for many careers, such as law, journalism, public history, public service and business, as well as in teaching and the advanced discipline of history. Learn more at https://history.appstate.edu.
Compiled and written by Barclay Ann Blankenship and Ellen Gwin Burnette
April 27, 2020
BOONE, N.C.
Brian Anderson '88, '90 B.A. History, M.A. English from Charlotte N.C.
Brian Anderson '88, '90 B.A. History, M.A. English from Charlotte N.C.