UNCP prof returns from overseas, publishes book

By Laura Mininno
Senior Staff Writer

Dr. Richard R. E. Kania, chair of the sociology and criminal justice department at UNC Pembroke, is not only a respected professor but an author as well, publishing his first book this year, “The 1605 Waymouth expedition to the coast of Maine: an assessment of the Rosier text.”

Originally from Michigan, Kania was born into a military family and has called many places home, including Japan, Germany and Paris, France.

Photo Courtesy of UNCP Dr. Richard Kania

The worldly Kania came to UNCP in 1999 from Guilford College in Greensboro, where he was chairman of the sociology and criminal justice department.

“I like Pembroke,” Kania said, “It was a mutual fit, and I’m interested in Native American studies.”

The inspiration for Kania’s book came from a book written by James Rosier in 1605 called “A True Relation of the Most Prosperous Voyage to Virginia,” an account of the expedition of Captain George Waymouth to the coast and rivers of Maine.

Kania received a microprint of Rosier’s work and decided to assess his claims.

“I did a table of his observations,” Kania said.

Echoing terms of the criminal justice field, Kania said that Rosier was the “witness,” and turned out to be a very reliable reporter.

Not only an author, Kania is also a Fulbright Scholar, recently returning from his second trip overseas.