About
Dewey M. Clayton, professor of political science, Department of Political Science, recently published an opinion piece in the Louisville Courier-Journal about how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed democracy was not a state, but an act and that we must all do our part.
Biography
I am firmly committed to the value of education. As a lifelong educator, I know that education can improve the quality of one's life. Today's students, more than ever, need to be prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Students must compete in a global economy more than at any time in the past. Because of this, students need to have excellent communication skills, oral and written, and they need to have the ability to think critically. As our nation is becoming increasingly more diverse, it is of utmost importance that students are exposed to diversity in and out of the classroom. Many organizations require team work and those who know how to interact with people from other backgrounds, whether racial/ethnic or socioeconomic, will be better prepared to get the task accomplished and they will be an asset to any organization.
Honors and Awards
Honored by the Metro Council for outstanding service to the district and the Greater Louisville community
Named the honoree from District 9 during the Louisville Metro Council’s 21st annual Black History Month Program, February 24, 2023
Joined a national scholars panel discussion on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. & his impact on Black activism today, January 16, 2023
2020 University of Louisville, College of Arts & Sciences Distinguished Faculty Award for Service to the Community, April 13, 2020.
Chosen by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer to serve on the Louisville Metro Government Public Art and Monuments Advisory Committee from February to July 2018.
Nominated by University of Louisville Provost as a UofL representative in the inaugural class of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Academic Leadership Development Institute (ALDI), February 15, 2017.
American Political Science Association 2016 Distinguished Teaching Award, June 2016.
Featured in the Faculty Spotlight in the UofL Magazine for Alumni and Friends, as the 2016 American Political Science Association Distinguished Teaching Award recipient, Fall 2016.
Nominated by the Vice Provost for Diversity and International Relations as the University of Louisville Adult Achiever for 2016.
Nominated by the Vice Provost for Diversity and International Relations for Who’s Who Louisville: 2016 African American Profiles.
On February 18, 2014, The University of Louisville Cultural Center presented me with the Black Image Award for the Best Cultural Program at the University of Louisville in 2013 for the UofL 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the March on Washington program that I proposed to CODRE and chaired the committee that planned the event.
Chosen by Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center as an invited featured panelist in its 7th Annual Fit for King Summit titled “Are We Winning the Struggle to End Segregation? on Jan. 15, 2014.
Nominated as a 2011-2012 Delphi Center Faculty Favorite for making a significant impact on the learning and intellectual development of a student at the University of Louisville on September 24, 2012.
Nominated by the Vice Provost for Diversity & Equal Opportunity and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Louisville for Who’s Who Louisville: 2012 African American Profiles, April 2012.
Nominated as a 2010-2011 Delphi Center Faculty Favorite for making a significant impact on the learning and intellectual development of a student at the University of Louisville on September 12, 2011.
Chosen by Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C. as their keynote speaker at their Academic Cultural Enrichment Lecture Series on Thursday, October 28, 2010. My latest book, The Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama, A Critical Analysis of a Racially Transcendent Strategy, was selected as the College’s Fall 2010 Common Read for the student body.
Academic Distinctions
Presented by the College of Arts and Sciences Office of International, Diversity and Outreach Programs at the University of Louisville with the 1st annual College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Diversity Champion Award for having demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to diversity and equity, and constructing an inclusive campus community in April 2010.
The Committee on Academic Performance of the University of Louisville Athletic Association invited me to be their honored guest at the Red and Black Honors Banquet and Awards Ceremony for Scholar Athletes who have named me as the faculty member who has most inspired him or her to excel in the classroom: Mentor to Eric Wood – Football – February 2006.
Mentor to Megan Helton – Tennis – February 2008. Mentor to Kelsey Rothberg – Golf – March 2009. Mentor to Patrice Gates - Women's Track - March 2011.
University of Louisville Exemplary Multicultural Teaching Award, 1988-1989
Service Distinctions
Louisville Metro Government Human Relations Commission Eleanor Young Love Award Winner for Outstanding Service in Promoting Positive Human Relations within the Louisville Metro Area, 2009
Presented the Distinguished Citizen Award by Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson in recognition of distinguished service rendered in the public interest in February 2009.
Teaching Areas
My teaching interests are highlighted by an award-winning course that I developed titled Political Discourse which integrates public speaking with political discourse from the modern day civil rights movement.
American Government and Politics
Race, Law, and Politics
Research Areas and Projects
Political Discourse
Representation and Electoral Systems
African American Politics
Law & Race
Presidency Research
Professional Memberships
American Political Science Association
National Conference of Black Political Scientists
Northeast Political Science Association
Activities
Regular Feature Columnist for the Louisville Courier-Journal Newspaper.
Journal reviewer for the National Political Science Review.
Tenure and promotion reviewer for junior political science scholars.
Regular contributor to the media on local, state, and national politics.