Graduate Spotlight: Archaeology program awards Lipscomb’s second Ph.D. degree
Clay Carpenter, Christian educator and former rodeo cowboy in Texas, is fueled by lifelong love of history.
Keely Hagan | 615-966-6491 |
On Dec.16, Clay Carpenter will become the second Ph.D. student to graduate from the Lanier Center for Archaeology (LCA).
Carpenter says his journey into archaeology has been fueled by a lifelong love for history. His interest began with late-night history documentaries and explorations with his grandmother, Danelle Carpenter, to museums and battlefields during his childhood.
He says that while pursuing his master’s degree in archaeology, he discovered the archaeology program, which sparked his passion for archaeology and set him on a five-year path to a Ph.D.
“My inspiration came from a deep-seated love for ancient history, a combination of my personality, experiences and my grandmother’s influence,” says Carpenter. “Even more, this love is also linked to the fact that I am a Christian, and as Fr. Georges Flovorsky wrote, ‘Christianity is basically a vigorous appeal to history, a witness of faith to certain particular events in the past, to certain particular data of history.’”
Carpenter finds the most intriguing aspect of archaeology lies in the intersection of time and material culture. The awe-inspiring experience of discovering and studying artifacts from ages past allows him to bridge centuries, momentarily connecting with the people of the past. For Carpenter, archaeology becomes a medium to understand and empathize with fellow humans from bygone eras, offering a unique perspective on the tapestry of human life.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Carpenter’s journey includes a unique chapter as a rodeo enthusiast. Participating in high school, college, amateur and professional rodeo, he specialized in the team roping event, showcasing a multifaceted personality beyond the academic realm.
Reflecting on his diverse excavation experiences through Lipscomb, Carpenter says he has been blessed with memorable digs in Cyprus, Israel and Kazakhstan. His inaugural excavation at the ancient site of Kourion in Cyprus in 2016 left an indelible mark, inspiring him to focus his dissertation on the site.
Completing his Ph.D. is a moment of joy, relief and gratitude for Carpenter. Yet, it also marks a moment of reorientation and reflection, as he shifts his focus and energy towards new endeavors. He plans to publish his research from the last two years and embark on a new project exploring the use of psalms in the floor mosaics of early Christian churches in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He expresses his gratitude for the excellent facilities and faculty at the Lanier Center, adding that Tom Davis, professor and associate director of LCA, his advisor since 2016, played a pivotal role, serving as a faithful mentor and friend throughout his academic journey.
Currently serving as an upper school humanities teacher and department head of humanities and languages at Christian Life Preparatory School in Ft. Worth, Texas, Carpenter integrates his education in the ancient and medieval worlds into his teachings. Carpenter extends heartfelt gratitude to his support network family, spiritual father, godparents, friends and students acknowledging that the pursuit of a Ph.D. is a collective effort. He humbly attributes his success to the grace of God and expresses hope for continued guidance in the days ahead.