Asbury Professor Speaks at University of Kentucky Honors College

February 4, 2020

Asbury English Professor Dr. Devin Brown recently spoke to students in the University of Kentucky’s Lewis Honors College, named after donor and UK alumnus Thomas W. Lewis, a seventh-generation Kentuckian who grew up in Lexington.

Dr. Brown’s topic was “Lewis and Tolkien: How An Author’s Claims Inform What We Know about a Text.” His talk explored to what extent we can say that we know the answer to a number of controversial questions surrounding the works of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Afterwards, Dr. Brown signed copies of his recent Lewis and Tolkien biographies.

The lecture was given in connection with the Honors Foundations course “Knowledge and Society,” which all students in the Honors College must take. Course goals include helping students develop an appreciation for the pursuit of truth and knowledge.

Dr. Brown’s invitation to speak came from his former student, Kenton Sena ’12, who after graduating from Asbury went on to earn his PhD. in Forest Science at the University of Kentucky and then was offered a position as an Honors College lecturer.

“It was wonderful to connect with Kenton again and to have a chance to meet some of the students he is now helping to mentor,” said Dr. Brown. “At Asbury, Kenton was a biology major and English minor. His ongoing interest in cross-disciplinary learning, his excellence in the classroom, and his genuine compassion exemplify everything we hope to see in an Asbury graduate who goes on to teach.”

Dr. Brown’s talk also led to a meeting between Dr. Tim Campbell, Asbury Vice Provost, and Dr. Christian Brady, the Honors College dean.

“We are always looking for opportunities to connect Asbury students with the world beyond our campus,” Dr. Campbell stated. “As we move forward, we hope to explore additional ways for Asbury to collaborate with the Lewis Honors College, both in terms of bringing in outside speakers and sharing resources that already exist within both schools.”