- D.A. English, Middle Tennessee State University
- M.Div. Missions/Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
- M.A. English, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
- B.A. Anthropology, Northeastern Illinois University
Professor of English
Chair, Department of English, Modern Languages, & Liberal Arts
E-mail: leggra@bryan.edu
Office Phone: 423.775.7257
Box: 7810
Office Phone: 423.775.7257
Box: 7810
Academic Degrees
Professional Associations
- Academy of American Poets
- Conference on Christianity and Literature
- Conference on College Composition and Communication
- National Council of Teachers of English
- South Atlantic Modern Language Association
Selected Publication
- “African Mission in the Americas” entry in 2011 Baker Books desk reference on Christian Ministries.
- “Cotton Mather” entry in 2010 edition of Encyclopedia of Christian Literature.
- Same: SWCCL, Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond, OK (Sept. 2010)
- “The Devil’s Advocate: A Polemic Against Vanity in Modern Christianity.” Electronic journal Dulia et Latria.
- “The Devil’s Advocate? The Vanity of Human Wishes from Solomon to Al Pacino.” “The Poetics of Conflict and Reconciliation” at Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA (October 2008).
- “Marginalization and Rejection in Two Versions of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. 32nd Annual Colloquium on Literature and Film at West Virginia University (September 2008).
- “The Object of Their Affection: The Marginalization of Janie Crawford in Both Versions of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. SWCCL (Abilene Christian University 2006)
- “Teachnology and Webagogy: Using Technology in the Liberal Arts Classroom.” ACA Summit VIII, Abingdon, VA (10.28.05).
- “Tickling the Tiger: Using Technology in the Liberal Arts Classroom.” ACA Summit VIII, Abingdon, VA (2005).
- “Crossing Institutional Boundaries: Making Audience Real.” CCCC, Denver, CO (2002)
- “Expanding Communities of Writing Teachers and Students Cross Institutional Boundaries.” Conf. On College Comp. & Communication, Denver, CO (Spring 2001)
- “Portfolio Assessment in Higher Education.” Alabama College Teachers Association, Birmingham, AL. 1998
Topics of Expertise
- African American literature
- American literature
- Film Studies/Pop Culture