The Almagest

Issue date: 3/18/10 Section: Life

Media Credit: Ben Escude'

When I began my interview with Blake Dunnavent, Ph.D., we went on the search for a cigarette, which was reminiscent of an evening back in a night class he taught me in 2007. The associate professor of history is young by most standards but is extremely intelligent and personable.

Dunnavent received his bachelor's degree from Abilene Christian in 1990, and both his master's degree and doctorate from Texas Tech. History is his forte, specifically in military history.

Dunnavent's interest in military history began as a child. His father often bought him books and movies about the subject. In September 1968, Dunnavent's cousin was shot down while flying an F-4 Phantom in the Air Force in Vietnam.

"[Studying the subject was] kind of my way of doing something for my cousin, who I never got to meet," said Dunnavent.

Dunnavent is also the faculty advisor for the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, serves on the Faculty Senate, teaches American and military history and is the chair of the Courses and Curriculum Committee.

As much as I love Dunnavent's classes, they are intense. Making an A in his courses takes work, but if you show up and pay attention, it's worth the while. He takes history very seriously, as he encourages his students to do.

Dunnavent has a published book, Brown Water Warfare, and has a chapter in a textbook called 19 Gun Salute which will be used by students of Naval War College. His chapter is on President Nixon's chief Naval adviser, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr. He has written chapters in other works on the Civil War and Vietnam and has had entries in encyclopedias. He is also the book review editor for The Northern Mariner.

In his spare time you can find Dunnavent at the Noble Savage, playing darts, poker or Golden Tee. He played in a pool league but did not have time for it this semester.

Dunnavent is a man who loves what he does. He thoroughly enjoys history and has devoted his life to the matter. As much as he prides himself in his academia, Dunnavent is a professor who can relate to his students like friends.

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