Finding Greatness: Rhonda Crombie
Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, July 11, 2016 2:36 PM
Categories:
Finding Greatness | College of Arts and Sciences | Pressroom
Macon, GA
Full Name: Rhonda Davis Crombie.
Title: Associate Professor of English.
Degrees: Master of Arts in English, Valdosta State University; Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Spanish, Valdosta State University.
Describe your service to Middle Georgia State University and the community at large.
“When my family and I moved to Dublin, Georgia, I began teaching as an adjunct instructor for what was then Middle Georgia College. I taught part-time on both the Cochran and the Dublin campuses. I have been teaching full-time for Middle Georgia State University for the past thirteen years. For the first seven years, I taught full-time on the Cochran Campus. When a position opened on the Dublin Campus, I transferred and have taught there ever since.
“In 2009, I was awarded the MGC Community Service Award for developing a student and faculty volunteer reading program in the Dublin City Schools. I also developed an award that the college and teachers presented to students who had made great advancements in their reading abilities through the school year. In addition to working with the city schools, for years I was part of a monthly television show called The Poetry Club on Dublin channel WTV35. In both 2010 and 2011, I was awarded the MGC Teacher of the Year for the Dublin campus. In 2014, I was nominated for an Excellence in Teaching Award.
“My research areas have been mostly in pop culture. In the last couple of years, I have presented papers at SAMLA (Southeastern-Atlantic Modern Language Association) conventions about zombies and about the connections of Marvel comic characters to Shakespearian characters. The zombie essay will be included in a soon-to-be published volume of works. I am now researching for a paper about a 1975 dystopian novel by JG Ballard.”
What attracted you to a faculty/staff position at Middle Georgia State University?
“I loved then and still love that Middle Georgia State University is a growing entity, but it is one that, in many ways, feels like a family.”
What do you like best about teaching at Middle Georgia State?
“I love our students. On the Dublin Campus, many of my students are non-traditional. I truly enjoy learning about their lives and their experiences as they learn about composition and literature from me.”
In your opinion, what does it take for students majoring in your discipline to be successful these days?
“There are so many jobs that are available for English majors in everything from business to the law. Employers in just about any area want employees who can write and communicate. An English degree prepares students to do both.”
What would students be surprised to learn about you?
“They might be surprised how big of a complete nerd I am. I flew all the way to Philadelphia recently to wallow in my “nerdom” for three days at a ComicCon there. If they really want to see how much I love pop culture, they are welcome to drop by my office.”