Mark Metzler Sawin

POSITION: Professor; Director - Honors Program

DEPARTMENTS:
Honors Program
History and Political Science

LOCATION: Main Campus, Harrisonburg | RLN 316

PHONE: (540) 432-4468

Mark Metzler Sawin grew up in Hesston, a small town in rural Kansas. He earned a B.A., studying Literature and Politial Science at Goshen College (Indiana) and then, after a stint training as a chef and doing free-lance journalism, he earned his M.A. (1997), and Ph.D. (2001) in American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. in 2001 Mark joined Eastern Mennonite University as a professor of U.S. history; he currently also serves as the director of EMU's Honors program and president of the Faculty Senate. In the larger academic world Mark has served as a member and chair of the Regional Chapters Committee of the American Studies Association; as president and a board member of the Eastern American Studies Association; and as the American Studies area co-chair for the Mid-Atlantic Popular and American Culture Association. In 2008-09 Mark was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Zagreb, Croatia; he has remained connected there, returning to teach courses in 2017 and 2019. His scholarship focuses largely on the religious, literary, and popular culture of antebellum America (1840–1850s). His first book Raising Kane addresses Arctic explorer Elisha Kent Kane who in the 1850s authored two “best-selling” books about his travels while masterfully manipulating the popular media to enhance his celebrity status. His most recent books are anotated editions of popular 19th-century author Ned Buntline's early novels: the Mexican-American War story, The Volunteer; or, the Maid of Monterey (1847); and the pirate tale, The Black Avenger of the Spanish Main (1847). These are the first in a series of 19th-century popular fiction that he is editing via his newly founded Emu Editions publishing effort.
Mark is married to Erika Metzler Sawin, a nursing professor at James Madison University. They have two children.

Education

BA, Goshen College (English & Political Science)
MA, University of Texas at Austin (American Studies)
PHD, University of Texas at Austin (American Studies)

Publications
Book The Black Avenger of the Spanish Main by Ned Buntline (1847). An anotated edition, edited by Mark Metzler Sawin. Harrisonburg, VA: Emu Editions, 2021.
Book The Volunteer; or, The Maid of Monterey by Ned Buntline (1847). An anotated edition, edited by Mark Metzler Sawin. Harrisonburg, VA: Emu Editions, 2020.
Article "The Lynching and Rebirth of Ned Buntline: Rogue Authorship during the American Literary Renaissance." Text Matters 9, No. 9 (Nov. 2019): 167-184.
Book Review "Perry Bush's Peace, Progress, and the Professor: The Mennonite History of C. Henry Smith." Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage, Lancaster County Historical Society, 2016.
Article “Making Contact!: William Carlos Williams’ American Literary Aesthetic.” Umjetnost Riječi (The Art of Words: A Croatian/English Journal of Literary, Theatre and Film Studies) 58, nos. 3-4 (July-December 2014): 331-354.
Mennonites in Encyclopedia of American Studies (Online Edition), Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014.
Essay “Pickups, The History of a Love Story: A Cultural Study of Pickup Trucks in America” in Howard Zehr, Pickups: A Love Story. GoodBooks, 2013.
Book Raising Kane: Dr. Kane and the Culture of Fame in Antebellum America, Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 2008.
Review Article Exploring Other Worlds: Margaret Fox, Elisha Kent Kane, and the Antebellum Culture of Curiosity, by David Chapin; The Reluctant Spiritualist: The Life of Maggie Fox by Nancy Rubin Stuart; and Talking to the Dead: Kate and Maggie Fox and the Rise of Spiritualism, by Barbara Weisberg. Journal of the Early Republic, (Winter, 2005): 668-74.
Cover Article “U.S. History through American Studies.” American Studies Newsletter (Mid-Atlantic American Studies Association) 17, no. 1 (Fall 2005): 1.
Book Review Desert Patriarchy: Mormon and Mennonite Communities in the Chihuahua Valley by Janet Bennion. BYU Studies 4, no.2 (Fall 2005): 177-180.
Book Review The Earth is the Lord’s: A Narrative History of the Lancaster Conference by John Landis Ruth. Mennonite Quarterly Review, October, 2002 76:4.
Article “Heroic Ambition: The Early Life of Dr. Elisha Kent Kane.” American Philosophical Society Library Bulletin, Fall, 2001, n.s. 1:2. Available Online
Article “Moving Stubbornly Toward the Kingdom of God: Mennonite Identity in the Twenty-First Century.” Mennonite Quarterly Review, January, 2001 75:1 89-98.
Short Story “Jed Said No.” What Mennonites Are Thinking, 1999. Good Books, 1999.
Article “A Sentinel for the Saints: Thomas Leiper Kane and the Mormon Migration.” Nauvoo Journal, Spring, 1998, 10:1 17-27. Available Online.
Thesis Article “Raising Kane: The Making of a Hero, the Marketing of a Celebrity.” Elisha Kent Kane Historical Society, 1997. Online
Article “Mennonites & Amish.” Encyclopedia of Civil Rights in America. Salem Press, 1997.
Scholarly Presentations and Abstracts
- Keynote Address "Pick-Uppity: A New Cultural Frontier for a Threatened Masculinity." Anglophonia: New Frontiers Conference, University of Zagreb, Croatia (May, 2019, Invited)
- Panelist "Frontier Societies." Anglophonia: New Frontiers Conference, University of Zagreb, Croatia (May, 2019, Invited)
- Presentation "Masculinity and the Triumph of the Truck: Currents in the American Automotive Industry." Eastern American Studies Association, Harrisburg, PA (March 2019)
- Presentation with Students "Learning from Ned Buntline." Mid-Atlantic Popular and American Culture Association, Baltimore (Nov. 2018)
- Presentation “Like a Rock?: The Pickup Truck & American Masculinity” University Colloquium Series, Eastern Mennonite University (Jan. 2018)
- Presentation “Pickup Truck? Hell Yes!: The Truck as Cultural Dissent in American Suburbia” International Symposium, A Cultural History of Capitalism: Britain, America, Croatia, University of Zagreb, Croatia (April, 2017)
- Panelist “Where American Studies is at Home/not Home: Working in Different Disciplinary and Professional Contexts.” American Studies Association. Denver, CO (Nov. 2016)
- Moderator “In the Heart of the Shenandoah Valley: Visions of Harrisonburg, 1867-2017.” Virginia Forum. Jamestown, VA (March 2016)
- Panelist “Regional Chapters Committee: A Discussion with ASA Regional Student Award Winners.” American Studies Association. Toronto Canada (Oct. 2015)
- Presentation “What Makes America American?, or, Rock’n‘Roll & Pickup Trucks: An American Studies Look at U.S. Culture.” U.S. Consulate General, Chennai American Library, India (July 2015, invited)
- Presentation “There’s Somethin’ ‘bout a Truck: America’s Love Affair with the Pickup Truck.” Eastern American Studies Association, Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA (March 2013)
- Panelist “ASA Students’ Committee: Roundtable on the Results from the ASA Students Survey.” American Studies Association, San Juan, Puerto Rico (Nov. 2012)
- Presentation “Sensation, Science & Scandal: The Popular Press in Antebellum America.” Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society, Dayton, VA (May 2012, invited)
- Moderator “Cultural Change through Popular Media.” Eastern American Studies Association, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (March 2012)
- Presentation “Damsels, Demons, & the Sensationalized South: Ned Buntline’s Civil War.” American Studies Association, Baltimore (Oct. 2011)
- “The Prolific Profligate: Ned Buntline & His Literary World.” Mid-Atlantic American Studies Association, Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg PA (April 2011)
- “Scoundrels! Secession! Sensation!: Ned Buntline, the Civil War, and the Demon of Fire.” Mid-Atlantic American Studies Association, La Salle University, Philadelphia (April 2010).
- “Hope in Hard Times: Obama, FDR & the Construction of Hope in American Politics.” Klub Studenta Anglistike, Zagreb, Croatia (March, 2009).
- “Rock n Roll in Black & White: Cultural Creation in the US Since the 1950s.” American Corner, Zagreb, Croatia (Nov, 2008 & March 2009); School of Economics, Vukovar, Croatia (Jan, 2009); American Corner, Zadar, Croatia (Feb, 2009); Turkish-American University, Istanbul, Turkey (Feb, 2009); University of Sarajevo, Bosnia (Feb, 2009); University Dzemal Bijedic, Mostar, Herzegovina (Feb, 2009).
- with Dr. Iva Polak “Grave New World: The Early History of North America & Australia.” University of Sarajevo, Bosnia (Feb, 2009); University Dzemal Bijedic, Mostar, Herzegovina (Feb. 2009).
- “Playing with the Spirits: Séances in Antebellum America.” Mid-Atlantic American Studies Association, Rochester, NY (April 2008)
- Presidential Address “The American Studies Scholar: An Emersonian Perspective.” Mid-Atlantic American Studies Association, Baltimore, MD (March, 2007)
- “When Caliban Impressed Prospero: Rethinking 19th-Century Exploration & Race Narratives.” Organization of American Historians, Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, Washington, DC (April, 2006)
- “Teaching the Violent Edge of Non-Violent Reform.” Faith in Action Conference, Samford University, Birmingham, AL (Jan. 2006)
- “Traveling Together: The Intertwined Ambitions of Elisha & Thomas Kane.” Kane Masonic Lodge / Elisha Kent Kane Historical Society, New York, NY (Jan. 2006, invited)
Exhibits, Performances and Productions
- Public Presentation "Race in the United States: A Very Brief History in Black & White" Mennonite Central Committee IVEP Program (Feb. 2020)
- Chapel "Where Have We Been? Where Are We Know?: A History of Racial Relations at Eastern Mennonite" Eastern Mennonite High School (MLK Day, 2020)
- Public Presentation "Pickups: An American Obsession" to multiple Rotary clubs & civic organizations across central Virginia (fall 2017-summer 2019)
- Public Presentation "A Wall Runs Through It: The History of U.S. Immigration Policy" Anabaptist Center for Religion & Society (March 2019)
- Public Presentation "Remembering the Confederacy: A Monumental Debate" Eastern Mennonite University MLK Day of Service (MLK Day, 2019, & 2020)
- TV Appearance 1-on-1: Remembering EMU Graduate Murdered in Congo. WHSV TV Harrisonburg, VA (March 2018)
- Public Presentation "The History of our Holiday Celebrations: Thanksgiving & Christmas" Park View Village (Nov. 2017)
- Public Presentation "Remembering and Re-Remembering the Past" National Honors Society Induction Ceremony, Spotswood HS (Oct. 2017)
- Radio Appearance "A Discussion of Elisha Kent Kane, American Hero." Mike Slater Show AM 760 San Diego, CA (June 2017)
- Public Interview with Civil Rights leader Dr. Vincent Harding Eastern Mennonite University (Feb. 27, 2014)
- Chapel "Take the First Step in Faith: A History of Change Toward Inclusion at Eastern Mennonite" Eastern Mennonite University (Jan. 17, 2014)
- TV Appearance Survey Questions How Challenging College Has Become. WHSV TV Harrisonburg, VA (May 2012)
- Baccalaureate Address: "Wisdom & Vanity: A Teacher’s Parting Words". Eastern Mennonite University (April 2012)
- Chapel "Faith This Far: African American History and Eastern Mennonite" (EMHS March 2011, EMU Feb. 2011)
- “The Histories We Tell Ourselves” Melva Kauffman Annual Lecturer (3 part series). Hesston College (Sept. 2010, invited)
- “A Croatian Fulbright Sabbatical” EMU Tuesday Lunch series (April 2010)
- Book Opening “Raising Kane: My 13-Year Obsession with a Dead Ex-Hero” American Corner, Zagreb, Croatia (April 2009)
- “The Times They Are a Changin’: American Student Movements in the 1960-1970s.” Student Symposium during the Faculty of Philosophy Student Strike, University of Zagreb, Croatia (April, 2009)
- “The First Thanksgiving: Cultural History & Cultural Construction” Gornjogradska Gimnazija, Zagreb, Croatia (Nov. 2008)
- Chapel “Colleges, Christ & the Construction of Belief, or, How to Make a Mennonite” (EMU Feb, 2007; Hesston College Jan, 2007)
- Baccalaureate Address “Wandering Wondering: An Eclectic Guide to ‘Walking Humbly with your God.’” Eastern Mennonite University (April, 2006)
- Radio Appearance “Touring Virginia’s Black History.” by Martha Woodroof. Morning Edition & All Things Considered, Virginia Public Radio (Feb. 2, 2006).
- Radio Appearance “Exploring Zenda.” by Martha Woodroof. Morning Edition & All Things Considered, Virginia Public Radio (Jan. 3, 2006).
Church, Community and Professional Service
Community & Professional Service
Church Service
Honors, Awards and Grants
- Visiting Scholar Grant. University of Zagreb, Croatia (2017 & 2019)
- Sabbatical Award. Eastern Mennonite University (2008-09, 2017)
- Fulbright Scholar, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb, Croatia (2008-09)
- Summer Teaching Grant. Eastern Mennonite University (2002, 2004, 2006, 2011)
- Lilly Faculty Pilot Project Grant. “Reaching Out, Teaching In: EMU & Harrisonburg’s African-American Community. (2005)
- Summer Research Grant. Eastern Mennonite University (2002, 2003, 2004)
- Quality Service Award. Eastern Mennonite University (Fall, 2002)
- Grundy Resident Research Fellowship at the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA (1999)
- University of Texas’ 2000-2001 Dissertation Fellowship (2000)
Professional Memberships
- American Studies Association (1996-present)
- Eastern American Studies Association (2001-present)
- Society of Americanists (2017-present)
- Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (2018-present)
Professional Conferences Attended
- Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (Pittsburgh, Nov. 2019)
- Eastern American Studies Association (Harrisburg, PA, March 2019)
- Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (Baltimore, Nov. 2018)
- International Symposium on the Cultural History of Capitalism (University of Zagreb, Croatia, April, 2017)
- American Studies Association (Denver, CO, Nov. 2016)
- Eastern American Studies Association (Franklin & Marshall, PA, April 2016)
- American Studies Association (Toronto, Canada, Oct. 2015)
- Eastern American Studies Association (Philadelphia, PA, March 2014)
- American Studies Association (Washington, DC, Nov. 2013)
- Eastern American Studies Association (EMU, Harrisonburg, VA, March 2013)
- American Studies Association (San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nov. 2012)
- Eastern American Studies Association (Rutgers University, NJ, March 2012)
- American Studies Association (Baltimore, MD, Oct. 2011)
- Mid-Atlantic American Studies Association (Harrisburg, PA, April 2011)
- American Studies Association (San Antonio, TX, Oct. 2010)
- Mid-Atlantic American Studies Association (Philadelphia, PA, April 2010)
New Courses Taught
COURSES TAUGHT
EMU Service
- President, Faculty Senate (2020-present)
- Faculty representative to President's Cabinet (2020-present)
- Director, University Honors Program (2011-present)
- Chair, Honors Council and Committee (2011-present)
- Faculty Senate (2008-10, 2015-17, 2019-present)
- Chair, History Department (2003-04, 2009-12, & 2017-2020)
- Undergraduate Council (2003-04, 2009-2020)
- Washington Community Scholars’ Center Advisory Board (2009-2019)
- Centennial Committee (2013-2017)
- Centennial Book Advisory Committee (2011-2017)
- Presidential Search Committee (2015-2016)
- Admissions Committee (2009-2012)
- Intellectual Life Committee (2010-2012)
- Chair, Search Committee for Political Studies position (2009-2011)
- Gen-Ed Core/Undergraduate Council Executive Committee (2009-2011)
- Co-Leader of Summer Cross-Cultural to Ireland/Northern Ireland (2010)

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Mark Metzler Sawin

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