Valpo Faculty Members Receive University Research Professor Grants

Daniel Saros, Ph.D., and Julien Smith, Ph.D., will serve as University Research Professors at Valpo for the 2017–2018 academic year. The grants recognize and encourage scholarly accomplishments and will afford Saros and Smith the opportunity to continue creative and original work.

Saros, associate professor and chair of economics, is working on a textbook adopting a critical and pluralistic perspective to modern economics. “Principles of Economics: A Pluralistic Approach” will examine a range of alternative theories while deepening an understanding of mainstream approaches to economics.

Saros, who joined the faculty in 2004, is the author of the peer-reviewed books “Information Technology and Socialist Construction: The End of Capital and the Transition to Socialism” and “Labor, Industry, and Regulation during the Progressive Era.”

Smith, associate professor of humanities and theology in Christ College — The Honors College, will continue research on a book examining the portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth as a king.

Smith’s proposed book, “Why is Christ Called a King? Heavenly Citizenship, Moral Transformation, and the Restoration of Creation in Paul’s Letters,” will examine the apostle Paul’s portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth as a king and the religious, cultural and social implications of the title. Smith, who joined the faculty in 2010, is the author of “Christ the Ideal King: Cultural Context, Rhetorical Strategy, and the Power of Divine Monarchy in Ephesians.”

University Research Professors are selected by the Creative Work and Research Committee on the basis of the proposal’s originality and significance and the applicant’s capacity to execute the program of study.