Name:
Francis Tobienne, Jr.
Hometown:
St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Birthday:
7 July 1975
Undergraduate Institution, Degree, Major:
Trinity College--B.A., Biology/Chemistry Pre-Medicine; Michigan State University--B.A., English
Graduate Degree & Major:
Purdue University--M.A., English: Literary Studies; Pursuing a Ph.D. in English: Medieval Studies Literature, Purdue University
Skills:
Speaking, Editing, Writing, Translating Languages, Researching
Hobbies:
Reading, Writing, Traveling, Playing Tennis
Awards and Accomplishments:
Select Publications: Book (Monograph): The Position of Magic In Selected Medieval Spanish Texts (Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 1 April 2008); Articles: "General Collin L. Powell: A Lifetime of Public Service and Philanthropy." Purdue University BCC Newsletter (February 2007) and "The Imitation of the Cellular & Violence toward the Neighbor." Colloque sur la violence et la religion (CVR) Université Saint-Paul, Ottawa (Canada); (May 2006); Poetry: "If Time Were Sovereign Over Me," and "A Sonnet of Gold in Told Lies of Silver," Harvard U Dudley Review: Façade, volume 11 (2005); Awards and Distinctions: Purdue Doctoral Fellow, 2007-2008; 2008-2009, Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowship (Honorable Mention), The National Academies, 2008, Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching--Q-Award, Purdue University English Department, 2006 and 2007, Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) Associate, Michigan State University, 2005, Dean's Scholar and Minority Fellow, Trinity College, 1998.
Memberships:
BGA, Sigma Tau Delta: The International English Honor Society, Golden Key
International Honor Society, The National Scholars Honor Society, African Studies
Association, Bannockburn Institute for Bioethics, Medieval Academy of America,
New Chaucer Society, The American Academy of Research Historians of Medieval
Spain (AARHMS), Modern Language Association (MLA), Association of Literary
Scholars & Critics and The Society of Biblical Literature.
How long have you been a member of the BGA?
Going on 2nd year representation
What is your involvement in the BGA?
Fellowships with other BGA members
How has the BGA been instrumental in your graduate career?
(BGA) continues to be more than a callide curtus, or a subtle defection towards relevance--and as such, I am reaffirmed in its goals, its purpose, its access.
What three words (or phrases) would you use to describe the BGA?
Sagacious. Viable. Relevant.
How did you find out about the BGA?
I am a curious agent, and thankfully there are others like myself who practice to perfection this art of being in the know. Through acquaintances, which over time have developed into friendships and culminated into fellowships, the BGA became
an extension of my ontology--altogether purposeful, meaningful, relational.
How has BGA grown since last year? If you are a first year student, what do you think that you can contribute the BGA?
I am not a first year student, however, I do approach with naked resolve, and I can only hope that my cultural make up presents overlaps into and onto the folds of another. Who then is my (BGA) neighbor? Everyone that I may come in contact with, no.
What is your lifelong dream?
I just want to do God's will man--period.
Who were the most influential people in your life?
Jesus, The Tobienne clan.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Culpable. Fire. Relevant.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A past Professor, now travel narrative writer authoring: novels, poetry, essays, academic books in, on and through the subjects of Literature and Language, Race, Caribbean Vita, Philosophy, and Medical Ethics in the basement of my resident villa in Spain, France and/or North Africa. My utmost joy, however, will be manifested on the face(s) of my wife and children, and perhaps two cats and a dog.
What is one thing in life you must have?
A non-reprobate mind; if I lose the soul of my mind, then I will gain the hole, the empty--that is the world.
Why did you decide to come to Purdue and what do you like most about the University thus far?
IRT and Kelly Wise informed me about Purdue University. The University maintains viable and veritable points of access beyond its geo-political and geo-cultural landscape.
Any other comments, words of wisdom, or shout outs you would like to make?
My thanks to BGA for its position of veritas, and continued success in the progressive present. Let us create a collective story then, and not be just the anecdotes that the "they" will tell. We have been that kind of medieval tale for far too long. Exceed your borders my friends--exceed, exceed, exceed; and then, demand your center!