Richard A. Pride

Professor Emeritus
Senior Research Associate, Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies, 1978-87

Richard A. Pride began his work in the Department of Political Science at Vanderbilt in 1968. Over his career, his main focus was the politics of school desegeration in the cities of the American South. He published three books on this subject, The Burden of Busing: The Politics of Desegregation in Nashville, Tennessee (1985), The Confessions of Dorothy Danner (1995), and The Political Use of Racial Narratives: School Desegregation in Mobile, Alabama, 1954-1997 (2002).

Pride combined his training and skills as a rigorous social scientist with an emphasis on teh importance of narrative - stories and story telling - in helping explain people and politics in the controversial areas in which he worked.

A gifted teacher, Pride taught and mentored generations of Vanderbilt students. His insistence on active learning proved to be a strong foundation for students going on to great success in the areas of public service, media, academia, and law, among others. He was committed to Vanderbilt, serving as chair of the College of Arts and Science Admissions Committee, working to refine criteria for admission and improve the quality of the student body.

Pride was named Professor Emeritus in 2005, and he continues his connection with Vanderbilt today.

 

Grants and Awards

Alexander Heard Distinguished Service Professor for 1992-93

Recognition as Outstanding Teacher by a Donor, Roundtable Society of Peabody College, 1993-94