Now a professor emeritus at Carson-Newman University, Dr. Wood dedicated four decades to academia.
NEW MARKET, TN, April 19, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Gerald C. Wood, PhD, has been recognized for his inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Now a professor emeritus at Carson-Newman University, Dr. Wood dedicated four decades to academia, specializing in English and film studies. He developed the film program at Carson-Newman University from the ground up, but his interests expanded in other directions throughout the course of his career. In the '80s, Dr. Wood began exploring the work of Horton Foote, the screenwriter of the film "To Kill a Mockingbird." This blossoming interest led to him publishing four books about Foote, including "Horton Foote and the Theater of Intimacy" in 1999. Before retiring in 2011, Dr. Wood founded a center dedicated to the works of Horton Foote and served as its director, further cementing his legacy in academia.
Dr. Wood's fascination with Horton Foote is just one example of his capability for discovering and embracing new areas of interest. He also spent time studying the intersection of film and theater, writing a book about Irish playwright Conor McPherson and editing a book on American playwright, screenwriter, and director Neil N. LaBute. Dr. Wood also edited a book on the history of the Chicago Cubs and wrote a biography of baseball player "Smoky Joe" Wood, a book which won the 2014 Seymour Medal honoring the best book of baseball history from the Society for American Baseball Research. Since retiring, he has written three award-winning screenplays.
Dr. Wood's contributions to literature and film have been recognized through various awards and memberships. He is a member of such esteemed organizations as the Modern Language Association of America, the South Atlantic Modern Language Association, the Society for American Baseball Research, the Popular Culture Association, and The Byron Society. These affiliations reflect Dr. Wood's diverse interests and expertise across multiple disciplines. His role as an author, book editor, and screenwriter has allowed him to influence both scholarly discourse and popular culture significantly.
The foundation of Dr. Wood's illustrious career can be traced back to his academic achievements. He received a bachelor's degree from Wabash College in 1966 and earned a PhD from the University of Florida in 1971. In 1979-80 he served as a Visiting Scholar in film and American Studies at the University of Iowa. This diverse educational background equipped him with the skills necessary to deeply explore a variety of subjects and to successfully transition between different fields of study.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Wood enjoys reading, attending film screenings, golfing, walking, gardening, and competitive running. He is a proud husband and father to two children. Dr. Wood's involvement with organizations like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the World Wildlife Fund, and The Smithsonian Institution reflects his commitment to contributing positively to society beyond academia. As he looks toward the future, he aims to continue writing screenplays with hopes of seeing them produced for the screen, further expanding his creative legacy.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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