May 19, 2008

Society to honor Pamela Smoot for article

by Andrea Hahn

Pamela smoot

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Pamela Smoot, clinical assistant professor cross-appointed in the Black American studies and history departments at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will receive an award from the Baptist History and Heritage Society during the society's annual meeting on Friday, May 23, at Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga.

Smoot's article, "African American Baptist Women: Making A Way Out of No Way," published in the Summer/Fall 2007 issue of "Baptist History and Heritage," won the 2008 Norman W. Cox Award for the Best Article Published by the Society.

Pam Durso, associate executive director of the society, noted that Smoot's article, "reflected excellent use of research in the primary materials." She also noted that Smoot's "engaging presentation of the materials" made her research presentation one of the best at the 2007 annual meeting.

Not one to rest on an award, Smoot's next research project is already in the works. She plans to research "Dr. James East: A Baptist Missionary in a Foreign Land: Middle Drift, South Africa" at the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives in Nashville, Tenn. She received a study grant from the library and archives administration to assist with travel, lodging and other expenses during her research stay.