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Northwest Missouri State University


Meet the Faculty

Dr. Thomas Spencer

Dr. Thomas Spencer
Rank: Professor
Office: 53 Valk
Phone: 660.562.1294
FAX: 660.562.1241
Email: tspence@nwmissouri.edu
Joined Northwest in 1997

Tom Spencer grew up in Arkansas and went to college at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He later completed an M.A. in history at the University of Missouri and a Ph.D. in history at Indiana University. Dr. Spencer teaches courses in Gilded Age and Progressive Era United States, U.S. Foreign Relations and Constitutional History.

Dr Spencer's book, The St. Louis Veiled Prophet Celebration: Power on Parade (University of Missouri Press, 2000), examines the history of an unusual civic celebration in St. Louis. He is currently editing a collection of essays in Missouri history for the University of Missouri Press. In the future he envisions another book examining civic celebrations in America during the late nineteenth century. He has had book reviews and articles published by Gateway Heritage magazine, the Missouri Historical Review, the Journal of American History, and the Kansas City Star. He also frequently writes for the website "The History News Network".

Dr. Spencer and his wife Melissa have two children, Michael and Julia. He is very active in the community, working as a soccer coach and referee as well as serving as a deacon for the First Presbyterian Church.

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