Dr. Michael S. Martin is a history professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Receiving both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from UL Lafayette (then University of Southwestern Louisiana), he received his Ph.D. in History at University of Arkansas in 2003. He returned to UL Lafayette shortly afterwards and has taught there ever since, earning the rank of Professor of History. He currently holds the Cheryl Courrégé/Board of Regents Professorship in History, is the managing editor of the historical journal Louisiana History, and formerly served as director of the Center for Louisiana Studies. His research interests include Louisiana history, public history, and history of the U.S. South. His publications include "Russell Long: A Life in Politics" (2014), "Louisiana Beyond Black and White: Recent Interpretations of Twentieth-Century Race and Race Relations" (as editor, 2011), and "Historic Lafayette" (2007).