Dr. Daniel McDonough, senior historian in the UT Martin Department of History and Philosophy, has been named as the Tom Elam Distinguished Professor of History.
Tom Elam, a native of Union City and a very influential individual in the history of Tennessee received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Tennessee in 1931 and graduated from its College of Law in 1934. He served for 42 years on the UT Board of Trustees and was the creator of the Tom Elam Endowment Fund.
The Tom Elam Distinguished Professor of History title was established in 2005 and branches off of the Tom Elam Endowment Fund, which was created in 1984. The endowment states that it should be used to fund an annual symposium on an event in American history or to fund a distinguished professorship in the department.
Along with recognizing outstanding teaching, scholarship and service, this professorship provides a one-course release per semester or a $5,000 annual stipend.
Mcdonough is involved heavily within the university. He currently serves as the UTM Faculty Senate President within the Chancellor’s Cabinet and the University of Tennessee System Faculty Council, which works to promote activity within the UT advocacy program, maintain open communication between all UT campuses, bring about positive change and encourage important discussions.
McDonough is currently writing two books on the information and history of Boston, Massachusetts during the American Revolution. These subjects include a biography of Sons of Liberty leader William Molineux, and an account of Boston that spans from the Boston Tea Party in 1773 to the creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Dr. Daniel McDonough is the second member of the history faculty to ever hold this appointment after Dr. Alice-Catherine Carls, who had the title until her retirement in June, 2023.
“This is a great award,” McDonough said. “I think it’s the only named professorship we have in humanities and fine arts. There are a couple in the College of Business and Global Affairs. It’s a nice award. I’m humbled and honored to have it.”
