About Hamilton College

Professor Doran Larson, an English professor at Hamilton College, has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between academia and the incarcerated population through innovative educational programs and literary initiatives. Since 2006, he has led the Attica Writer's Workshop and founded both the Attica-Genesee Teaching Project and the Mohawk Consortium College-in-Prison program, bringing college-credit courses to inmates. Larson's scholarly work, including essays in prestigious publications and edited volumes like "The Beautiful Prison" and "Fourth City: Essays from the Prison in America," focuses on prison writing, teaching, and reform. His ongoing project, The American Prison Writing Archive, aims to create an open-access digital repository of essays by prisoners, staff, and volunteers. Beyond his prison-focused work, Larson is an accomplished author of novels, a novella, and short stories, as well as critical essays on American literature and film. Through his multifaceted approach combining direct engagement with incarcerated individuals, academic research, and literary production, Professor Larson continues to be a leading voice in prison education and reform, advocating for the power of writing and education in transforming the American prison system

Dr. Robert Simon, Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Hamilton College, has made significant contributions to the field of sports ethics and philosophy over his nearly 50-year career. As the author of influential works such as "Fair Play" and "The Ethics of Sport: What Everyone Needs to Know," Simon has established himself as a leading expert on ethics and social values in sports. His academic achievements include serving as president of the International Association for the Philosophy of Sport, receiving prestigious fellowships from the Rockefeller Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities, and earning the Distinguished Scholar Award. Simon's multifaceted career also encompasses practical experience in athletics, having successfully coached Hamilton's men's golf team to national recognition. With a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, numerous teaching awards, and contributions to political philosophy and ethics, Dr. Simon exemplifies the integration of philosophical inquiry with real-world sports experience, making him a respected voice in both academic and athletic circles.

S. Brent Plate, an associate professor of religious studies at Hamilton College, is a prolific scholar and educator specializing in the intersection of sensory experiences and spiritual life. With eleven authored or edited books to his name, Plate's work spans academic research and public engagement, contributing regularly to platforms like the Huffington Post and Religion Dispatches. He co-founded and manages the journal Material Religion: The Journal of Objects, Art, and Belief, and serves as president of both SCRIPT (Society for Comparative Research in Iconic and Performative Texts) and CrossCurrents/The Association of Religion and Intellectual Life. Plate's research, exemplified in his recent book "A History of Religion in 5 1⁄2 Objects: Bringing the Spiritual to its Senses," focuses on the material and sensory aspects of religious practices. His multifaceted career, which includes board membership of the Interfaith Coalition of Greater Utica, NY, demonstrates his commitment to bridging academic study with practical interfaith understanding and community engagement.