Donald Cunnigen
Professor
Sociology
Ph.D., Harvard University
Race and Ethnic Relations, Social Inequality, Social Movements, Social History
Professor Donald Cunnigen is a specialist in race relations, social movements, and social inequality. His particular expertise is in the area of white southern liberalism and the American civil rights movement. As a cum laude graduate of Tougaloo College in Mississippi with a double major in sociology-anthropology and Afro-American Studies, he took a M.A. degree in sociology from the University of New Hampshire and an A.M. in sociology from Harvard University. His Ph.D. in Sociology was received from Harvard University.
He is a native southerner who has devoted his scholarly attention to the social changes that reshaped the region. His published articles about the original contributions of white southern liberals have focused on their role in the changing South as well as the significant role played by African-Americans. The intellectual accomplishments and critical aspects of Black sociologists have been the focus of a part of his research. With his colleague, Robert Washington of Bryn Mawr College, he edited a collection of essays on this important group of scholars. Similarly, he co-edited with Rutledge Dennis of George Mason Univeristy and Myrtle Glasco, retired Avery Institute and Museum director, a work on the political thought of the famous African-American leader, Booker T. Washington. Presently, he is working on a volume titled, "Race in the Age of Obama." In addition to race relations, social movements, and social inequality, he has conducted research and published in the area of sociology of education, especially examining the experiences of people of color in institutions of higher learning and the role played by scholars in African-American colleges.
In recognition of his scholarship, he was selected as co-editor of the Race and Ethnic Relations Series of the Emerald Publishing Group in England. He was awarded the Sociological Spectrum Award for Outstanding Article by the Mid-South Sociological Society. He received the Association of Black Sociologists' (ABS) A. Wade Smith Award for Teaching, Mentoring and Service. On campus, he was recognized by the Multicultural Center with the Faculty Diversity Award for Excellence in Leadership and Service for his founding of the Black Scholar Awards and Onyx Senior Honor Society chapter. He helped to reactivate the Golden Key International Honour Society chapter, which has received a Gold Standard rating from the organization based on its service and other activities. On a national level, his peers elected him to serve as President of ABS and President of the Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists.
News & Announcements
Anthropology Honor Society
URI Anthropology students have been chartered as the Alpha Rhode Island Chapter of Lamda Alpha, the national anthropology honor society. This is a tribute to the hard work of several students and to the academic excellence of our majors and our faculty. Right now, the recruitment of charter members is underway. If you're interested in being one of the first Lamda Alphas, shoot off an email to Ashley Waggoner for all the details.
The URI Anthropology Society is also up and running. Check out their page too.
Department contacts
Department Chair
C. B. Peters, cbp@uri.edu
Justice, Law & Society Minor Coordinator
Professor Leo Carroll, lcarroll@uri.edu
Administrative Assistant
Theresa Nobile, nobile@uri.edu
