Dr. Alonzo Smith joined the English Department at Appalachian State in the Fall of 2023 as a tenure track professor in literary studies. In his spare time, like many of his colleagues, Alonzo loves to run. You can find him on the Greenway Trail on pretty days. He started working out during the pandemic and has found it helps him think clearer and write better. Alonzo loves the community that Boone offers. He appreciates the kindness and joy he finds across campus in the people. The fresh air, the water, and the wide variety of restaurants are all a perk of living in Boone according to Alonzo. He says, “No matter what your background is, there is always a place here for you.”
Alonzo obtained his PhD from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas where he wrote his dissertation about the narratives of resistance in the works of 19th century Black male authors across the African diaspora. He was interested in determining what the thinkers in North America and the Caribbean’s moves were to disprove the theories of people like Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin who suggested in their works that men could only think with their libido, or rather their physicality. This interest arose after reading Frederick Douglas’s narrative and seeing that his experiences had no sexual suggestions in his text, therefore disproving what Jefferson was saying. He found the discrepancies between the two were worth investigating.
However, Alonzo’s original academic interests were not aligned with his dissertation topic. Being a man of faith, Alonzo was originally interested in religion as resistance and this history of religion being used as an oppressor’s tool to enslaved people. He has since reverted back to studying and working with this interest. In line with his original academic interests, Alonzo is currently in the process of proposing a course about religion and literature because Appalachian State does not currently offer a course of this nature. He wants to bring a historical lens to the subject and explore the intersections of masculinity and religion.
Alonzo is currently teaching three classes, including two African American literature classes and a bibliography and research graduate seminar. He sees his role as an educator to exude joy in the classroom and is always happy to meet new students and strengthen their minds. He hopes bringing joy will help students enjoy what they are learning and not just look at it as needing an education to have a better job. In our interview, he emphasized the point, “Enjoy what you do, seek joy in what you do, and success will come.” Alonzo enjoys the eagerness to learn he sees in the students here at Appalachian. On the last day of class last semester, one of his students brought him a book as a thank-you for his kindness. According to Alonzo, it’s moments like these that are a reminder of how impactful one can be to students' lives.
Written by Jacey Widner
Dr. Alonzo Smith
Dr. Alonzo Smith