Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram
After decades of dedicated service to their students, colleagues, and disciplines, three long-serving faculty members at the University of West Alabama will retire in May 2025. In recognition of their contributions to the university and their fields, Dr. Debbie Davis, Dr. Jeff Gentsch, and Dr. Sallie Harper have each been awarded the title of Professor Emeritus.
Dr. Debbie Davis: A life shaped by story
For Dr. Debbie Davis, literature has always been a gateway to understanding the complexities of history, society, and the philosophical struggles of life. Inspired by her high school English and history teachers, she chose to study English out of a deep fascination with the struggles and triumphs of literary characters across time.
Her passion for teaching took shape early. After working as an academic coordinator for the Upward Bound program, Davis transitioned into a faculty role in the UWA’s Department of English and History. Over the past 25 years, she has taught an array of courses — from Fundamentals of Writing and British Literature to upper-level specialties like 19th Century British Poetry, British Crime Fiction, and The Victorian Novel, among others. Her academic work includes more than 20 publications, presentations, and guest lectures, reflecting her commitment to scholarship and teaching.
Davis’s university service is equally impressive. She has served multiple terms on the University Academic Council and the Faculty Senate and has represented the College of Liberal Arts at countless student orientations, preview days, career expos, SACSCOC reaffirmations, and search committees.
Her students often note that her classes offer more than insight into literature — they offer validation. “Dr. Davis makes you feel like what you have to say really matters,” one student remarked. A fellow professor added, “Debbie is as classic as a pair of Wayfarers and as timeless as a Gibson guitar. She is the melody of our department and college.”
Davis is honored not just for a remarkable career, but as Professor Emeritus of English — a lasting title for someone whose impact will long be felt at UWA.
Dr. Jeff Gentsch: The Scholar of Shiloh
Known for his quiet demeanor — except when discussing history — Dr. Jeff Gentsch has become one of UWA’s most respected historians over the past 25 years. He is best known for his expertise in military history, notably the Battle of Shiloh, and for his engaging courses in American History, Western Civilization, and Geography.
Beyond the classroom, Gentsch has led battlefield staff rides for U.S. Army training groups at Shiloh National Military Park and appeared as a panelist on the History Channel’s Battlefield Detectives. He served as assistant editor, cartographer, and contributing author for War Studies Journal and has published extensively in his field, producing essays, bibliographies, maps, and scholarly commentary.
Described by a colleague “as tough as he is passionate,” Gentsch earned two of UWA’s highest faculty honors, receiving the peer-voted Nellie Rose McCrory Service Excellence Award and the student-voted William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching. Known for a dynamic teaching style that keeps students on the edge of their seats, Gentsch exemplifies both dedication and excellence in the classroom and beyond.
He chairs the UWA Academic Integrity Committee and participated in numerous campus initiatives. In addition, he led more than 11 student trips to Shiloh and continues to guide annual anniversary hikes.
For his tireless work in teaching, research, and service, the university names him Professor Emeritus of History — a fitting recognition for a man who has brought the past vividly to life for generations of students.
Dr. Sallie Harper: A Calling Fulfilled
For Dr. Sallie Harper, teaching has never been just a job; it’s been a lifelong calling. Born into a family of educators, she began “teaching” at home with her dolls and parents long before she entered her first real classroom.
Her professional journey began in public schools, where she taught kindergarten through eighth grade for 19 years. Later, she brought her passion and expertise to higher education, teaching at the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University before joining UWA’s faculty in 2015.
Harper’s work in elementary education has been marked by innovation and dedication. She has explored the integration of children’s literature into math instruction and created learning experiences that bridge literacy, the arts, and STEM fields. At UWA, she has distinguished herself through her research, leadership and mentorship, ensuring the success of the next generation of educational leaders.
Her students describe her as kind, deeply knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in their success. Her colleagues speak of her generosity, quiet strength, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
“The distinction of Professor Emeritus is not just a title,” shared Dr. Amanda Pendergrass, chair of the department of teaching and learning. “It’s a reflection of the profound and lasting impact Sallie has made on this institution. We celebrate more than a remarkable career — we celebrate a remarkable person, who we are proud to recognize Professor Emeritus of Elementary Education at UWA.”