University of Michigan - Flint

Tariq Ali is an internationally renowned journalist, novelist, historian, film-maker, and political commentator. He was born in Pakistan but as a result of his opposition to the military dictatorship, he was forced to leave the country for England where he finished his studies at Oxford University. He was very prominent in student movements in the ‘60s and even debated diplomats such as Henry Kissinger about the war in Vietnam. Tariq Ali is perhaps best known for his novels and historical and political commentaries. His second novel, Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree (1993) was an immediate international best-seller. He is also internationally well-known for his thought-provoking historical and political essays. He has written a superb social history of the 1960s, Street-Fighting Years, giving us an up-close look at figures such as Malcolm X, Marlon Brando, and John Lennon. Most recently, his book, Bush in Babylon (2003), is a critique of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and brings the voices of poets and artists from the region. Tariq Ali will be fulfilling his appointment as the 2008-09 Winegarden Visiting Professor in the Winter Semester and lives in London with his family. (Nominated by Professor Ananthakrishnan Aiyer, Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice Department, College of Arts and Sciences.)

is an internationally renowned journalist, novelist, historian, film-maker, and political commentator. He was born in Pakistan but as a result of his opposition to the military dictatorship, he was forced to leave the country for England where he finished his studies at Oxford University. He was very prominent in student movements in the ‘60s and even debated diplomats such as Henry Kissinger about the war in Vietnam. Tariq Ali is perhaps best known for his novels and historical and political commentaries. His second novel, (1993) was an immediate international best-seller. He is also internationally well-known for his thought-provoking historical and political essays. He has written a superb social history of the 1960s, , giving us an up-close look at figures such as Malcolm X, Marlon Brando, and John Lennon. Most recently, his book, (2003), is a critique of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and brings the voices of poets and artists from the region. Tariq Ali will be fulfilling his appointment as the 2008-09 Winegarden Visiting Professor in the Winter Semester and lives in London with his family.

Christopher Paul Curtis was born in Flint, Michigan, the setting of many of his books.  He was a great reader, but as a youth, he could not find books that “were about me.”  After high school, Curtis spent 13 years on the assembly line of Flint’s historic Fisher Body Plant.  He attended college at night and wrote during his breaks to escape the noise of the factory.  Christopher Paul Curtis made an outstanding debut in children’s literature with The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, named a Newbery Honor Book and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book.  His second novel, Bud, Not Buddy, won the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award.  Christopher Paul Curtis will be fulfilling his appointment as the 2009-10 Winegarden Visiting Professor during parts of both the Fall and Winter Semesters.  He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife, Kaysandra, and their two children, Steven and Cydney.  (Nominated by Associate Dean and Professor of Education Rose Casement, School of Education and Human Services; and Chair and Professor of English Fred Svoboda, College of Arts and Sciences)  For additional information regarding Christopher Paul Curtis, click here. 

The Myron and Margaret Winegarden Visiting Professorship was established in 2001 through a generous gift from the estate of Margaret Winegarden.  This gift enables the University of Michigan-Flint to bring individuals of national and international reputation to our campus. 

 

The guidelines for the Professorship specify that the candidate contribute to the understanding and appreciation for the sciences and humanities in the context of the emerging global world economy.  Winegarden Visiting Professors will be expected to spend a significant amount of time on our campus during the fall or winter semester.  They will teach and/or interact with classes, participate in meetings with students and faculty, conduct lectures for students, faculty, staff and the community, offer seminars and colloquia for faculty, etc. 

 

Candidates for this Visiting Professorship need not hold a traditional faculty appointment; however, they should be nationally or internationally acclaimed for their professional work.  The Provost, in consultation with the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, will appoint a faculty selection committee to determine the successful nomination.

 

The open window to submit applications normally occurs in the spring and will be announced by the Office of the Provost.  To submit a nomination, please complete the nomination form and mail the completed form to Sue Fabbro, Office of the Provost, sefabbro@umflint.edu, 229 University Pavilion.  The only supporting documentation needed is a brief biographical sketch and a statement addressing the question, “How would the nominee contribute to the understanding of and appreciation for the sciences and humanities in the context of the emerging global world economy?”  Please contact the nominee to be sure they would be interested in coming to our campus and to get a sense of the remuneration they would need.  Recipients typically spend the equivalent of one month on campus, which could occur by several visits during the semester or an extended stay.