John Rodrigue is the Lawrence and Theresa Salameno Professor of History. His teaching and research focus on nineteenth-century United States history and Southern history, in particular the Civil War and Reconstruction era, and slavery and emancipation.

Rodrigue's work includes his most recent book, Freedom's Crescent: The Civil War and the Destruction of Slavery in the Lower Mississippi Valley. The publication offers a sweeping examination of one of the Civil War's most important theaters and highlights the integral role that the Lower Mississippi Valley played in transforming United States history.

Light refreshments, courtesy of The Office of Academic Affairs.