Dr. Joseph Crespino recently appeared on 11 Alive to discuss the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, who died at the age of 80 on August 25, 2026. Crespino discussed Parton’s uniquely broad appeal amid stark political and cultural polarization. An expert on the history of the United States with a focus on the U.S. South since Reconstruction, Crespino also highlighted Parton’s impact on global perceptions of the peoples and cultures of the rural South, particularly Appalachia.
Crespino is Senior Associate Dean of Faculty, Divisional Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Jimmy Carter Professor of History.
Dr. Daniel LaChance, Andrew W. Mellon Faculty Fellow in Law and the Humanities and Associate Professor, has received a Distinguished Achievement Award from his alma mater, Carleton College. LaChance was one of just three people in his graduating class of 2001 to receive the award, which “recognizes exceptional achievement and impact within the field or fields of professional accomplishment, non-professional pursuit, or volunteer service.” Read the award citation below:
Daniel LaChance ’01 is a leading scholar, teacher, and public intellectual in the field of American legal studies whose work has been widely recognized for its originality, impact, and interdisciplinary reach. After studying English at Carleton, he earned his PhD in American studies from the University of Minnesota, where his dissertation received the Best Dissertation Award in the Arts & Humanities. During his graduate studies, he was recognized for his exceptional promise, winning national awards such as the Graduate Student Paper Prize from the Law & Society Association and securing prestigious William Stout and Thomas Wallace Fellowships. LaChance’s career is marked by significant scholarly achievements, including the publication of his highly acclaimed first book, Executing Freedom: The Cultural Life of Capital Punishment in the United States (2016), which earned the Choice Outstanding Academic Title Award. He also co-authored Crimesploitation: Crime, Punishment, and Pleasure on Reality Television (2022), a pioneering study that bridges the gap between legal history and popular culture. Currently associate professor of history at Emory University, he has been honored with the John Emory Award for Teaching and Advising and appointed as a Winship Distinguished Research Professor. His commitment to public engagement is further demonstrated by his frequent contributions to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Newsweek. LaChance is a beloved teacher, honored for his mentorship and dedication to students and his deep commitment to public service, evidenced by his teaching in Georgia prisons. Shaped by his Carleton education, he exemplifies intellectual excellence, humility, and a profound commitment to justice.
