Dr. Robert Barnett was recently awarded the rank of
Distinguished Professor of History in Lee University’s College of
Arts and Sciences.

“The Board of Directors awarded the title of “Distinguished
Professor” to Dr. Barnett because he epitomizes the talent for
teaching and the commitment to students which Lee University seeks
to make our distinctive,” said Lee President Dr. Paul Conn.

A professor at Lee since 1995, Barnett has established his
reputation as an excellent teacher among students and colleagues
alike.

“In all my years as president, I have never known any professor
to receive as much spontaneous praise from students for his
classroom teaching as Bob Barnett does,” added Conn.

Barnett is one of four professors in Lee’s history to be awarded
this title.  

“While I believe that there are many here more deserving, this
is a wonderful honor and one that I truly appreciate,” shared
Barnett. “I feel privileged to be part of what we do at what is a
very special university. I’m excited by what Lee has become and
look forward to being involved in what God has in store for the
university.”

Barnett was the recipient of Lee’s Excellence in Advising Award
in 1998, Lee’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2001, and the Janet
Rahamut Award in 2006.

Prior to his arrival at Lee, Barnett was the chair of the
Department of History and the director of the International Studies
Division at Tennessee Wesleyan College. He was also a member of the
Russian Bureau of the Tennessee Humanities Council, and project
evaluator of the Tennessee Humanities Council. Barnett twice
received the Faculty/Staff award at TWC, and he also twice received
the Lockmiller Teacher of the Year Award.

Specializing in the Russian Revolution, Barnett also teaches
courses on Modern Europe, Tudor and Stuart England, and various
seminars in history. In addition to teaching, he sponsors Alpha
Kappa Eta, Lee’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history
honor society, and serves as a national mentor for Phi Alpha
Theta.

He has been selected for “Who’s Who Among American Teachers”
many times and has been published in Nineteenth Century,
and Historians and Historiography.

Barnett is a native of Berkeley, Calif. and enjoys architecture,
literature, music, art and travel. He has five children, Christina,
Brooke, Andrew, Jordan, and Aimee.