The University of Arkansas at Monticello acquired a new assistant professor of English in August. Allen Redmon came to UAM from East Texas Baptist University because of the open admissions policy.

   “I was attracted to UAM because of the diverse group of people and the students I get to work with,” Redmon said.

   Redmon attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, for his bachelor’s degree. He earned his Master’s and Ph.D at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

   Redmon taught for six years at Purdue and three years at East Texas Baptist University before coming to UAM.

   An interest in Film helped Redmon start a Film Society at UAM.

   “(UAM) is a nice place to create interest in film studies,” Redmon said.

   Redmon also talked about how unusual his classes are.

   “I’m not as interested in content as I am in the students growing in who they are,” Redmon said. “My classes involve transformational learning.”

   Aside from teaching, Redmon also writes for film journals. Articles written by Redmon, including Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” and “Passion of the Joan of Arc,” which talks about studies of French cinema, have appeared in the “Journal of American Culture.”

   Currently, Redmon is working on a book that discusses the history of detective film in American culture.

   When he’s not teaching or writing, Redmon spends time with his wife Kimberly and his children Jacob, 8, and Gracie, 4. He also enjoys watching movies and playing cards and dominoes.

   Mark Spencer, dean of the school of Arts and Humanities, said that as the best qualified candidate for the assistant professor of English job, he feels fortunate to have Redmon as a faculty member.

   “The search committee and I were very impressed with Dr. Redmon’s interview,” Spencer said. “He came prepared to teach a class and he was very poised and at ease.”

   Redmon said he likes UAM.

   “This is a good spot and I would like to make the university my home,” Redmon said.