History, Political Science, and Philosophy

Faculty

Dr. Thomas Spencer


Professor of History, Dean of the Honors College

Dr. Thomas M. Spencer is a historian of the nineteenth century. Although technically a native Texan since he was born in Beeville, he actually grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He later received his B.A. in History from Trinity University in San Antonio. His M.A. in History is from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His PhD is from Indiana University-Bloomington. His career began in 1997 at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, where he served as a professor of history and Director of the Honors Program. In 2012 he moved to Eastern Illinois University, where he served as the Director of Honors Student Affairs at the Sandra and Jack Pine Honors College. In July of 2017 he came to Texas A&M University-Kingsville as the Dean of the Honors College and Professor of History.

Dr. Spencer’s research has been a bit eclectic. His first book, The St. Louis Veiled Prophet Celebration: Power on Parade, 1877-1995, examines the history of an unusual annual civic celebration that still goes on in St. Louis. His next book, The Other Missouri History: Populists, Prostitutes, and Regular Folk, is an anthology of essays by younger historians of Missouri History. His final book, The Mormon Experience in Missouri, was also an anthology of essays by several scholars which examined the violent conflict between Mormons and Missouri settlers during the 1830s. In addition, he has published several articles on other historical topics, ranging from armed conflict between Missouri and Iowa over their border in the 1830s to Ozark vigilantism in the 1880s and 1890s. He has also published numerous historical book reviews and made many historical presentations as well as professional presentations about Honors programs and Honors Colleges.

Dr. Spencer has taught more than twenty different courses during his more than two decades as a full-time professor and administrator. Here at Texas A&M University-Kingsville he currently teaches Honors sections of History 1302, History of the United States from 1877 to the present. He resides in Kingsville with his wife, four cats, and two dogs. After 28 years in the Midwest, he tries his very best not to die from heat stroke when out running or biking in the south Texas heat.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville
700 University Blvd. MSC 165
Kingsville, Texas 78363-8202
Mesquite Village West 104
voice: 361.593.4410
fax: 361-593-3502
email: Thomas.Spencer@tamuk.edu

Dr. Thomas Spencer