This episode features Dr. Michael Anthony Fowler, Assistant Professor of Art History in the Department of Art and Design at East Tennessee State University. In addition to his work in the classroom, Dr. Fowler is an active collaborator on several international archeological projects and serves as the chair of Johnson City’s Public Art Committee. In this episode, he shares how these experiences impact his teaching, as well as some interesting observations and insights about incorporating hands-on learning and interdisciplinary approaches in his classes.Podcast Transcript: Dr. Michael Anthony FowlerI want to create culturally fluent, persuasive, compelling communicators; people with keen eyes who can be discerning; folks who are inquisitive, who value truth, and know how to identify right to make that distinction between fact and fiction.Dr. Kimberly McCorkleHi. I'm Kimberly McCorkle, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at East Tennessee State University. From the moment I arrived on this campus, I have been inspired by our faculty, their passion for what they do, their belief in the power of higher education, and the way they are transforming the lives of their students. This podcast is dedicated to them, our incredible faculty at ETSU. Hear their stories as they tell us “Why I Teach.”In this episode, we will talk with Dr. Michael Anthony Fowler. Dr. Fowler is an Assistant Professor of Art History in the Department of Art and Design. He also serves as affiliate faculty in the Classical and Medieval Studies, Religious Studies, and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies programs.An art historian and classical archeologist, Dr. Fowler specializes in the art and material culture of the ancient Mediterranean and West Asia. He has earned master's degrees in several disciplines, including a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard University, an M.A. in classical archeology from Tufts University, and a Master of Arts and Master of Philosophy from Columbia University. He also completed his Ph.D. in art history and archeology from Columbia.In his teaching, which ranges widely across the history of art, Dr. Fowler is interested in introducing students to the diversity of visual cultures around the globe, and to the critical role that arts continue to play in expressing, shaping, and responding to peoples’ ideals and realities.Dr. Fowler is also an active collaborator on several international archeological projects. Locally, he is a commissioned member and chair of Johnson City's Public Art Committee, where he assists people with various projects aimed at integrating art into the everyday lives of people in this region, beautifying ETSU’s hometown, and building community through collaboration.Enjoy the show!Dr. Fowler, welcome to the show. I start my podcast with the same question for every guest. Take me back to your first day of teaching at ETSU as a faculty member. And looking back on that day, what is one piece of advice that you would have given yourself?Dr. Michael Anthony FowlerIt's a wonderful question to begin with. And but first, let me just thank you for the invitation to join you today on the podcast. I'm really glad to be here. The piece of advice I would give myself on my first day is actually a piece of advice I would give myself every day of my career to the present and beyond, and that is never to forget how that first day on the job feels. The excitement of introducing new material to students who've never encountered it before, and making sure that enthusiasm and excitement carries over into your fifth, 10th, 15th, 20th year. Because my students respond to that enthusiasm and energy. They see my passion for the subject and it inspires them to want to learn more. And I would say another thing is that a lot of us teach the same courses, you know, several times over our careers, and it can feel a little routine and you can fall into losing that excitement. So trying to maintain tha