Dr. Jeffery R. Hankins, associate professor of history  has been chosen to occupy the Louisiana Tech University Garnie W. McGinty Chair in History.  The late Dr. Garnie W. McGinty endowed the chair in 1975 for the purpose of  recognizing a faculty member in history who has made significant contributions in the areas of teaching, research, and professional and university service. Jeffery R. Hankins has been a member of the Louisiana Tech faculty since 2004.  A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, he holds a master’s degree in history from Texas State University and a doctorate from LSU. A specialist in British and early modern European history, Dr. Hankins regularly teaches courses in those fields as well as the Protestant Reformation, colonial America, and the history of science.  His scholarly publications have appeared in specialized journals, including the Sixteenth Century Journal,the Catholic Historical Review,and Anglican and Episcopal History.  He is also the author of numerous reference book entries, book reviews, and conference papers. At Louisiana Tech, Hankins has served as director of graduate studies in history, interim head of the Department of History, chair of the General Education Requirement committee, president of the University Senate, and in many other important service roles.  Prior to his selection as McGinty chairholder he held the John D. Winters Endowed Professorship in History. Dr. Hankins has served twice as president of the Southwest Historical Association. Previous holders of the McGinty Chair since its creation were Louisiana Tech history professors John D. Winters, William Y. Thompson, B. H. Gilley, Philip C. Cook, Kenneth W. Rea, and Stephen Webre.