Authors Biographies

Bob Welch is the author of more than two dozen books, including American Nightingale, featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and, along with Diane Carlson Evans, Healing Wounds: A Vietnam War Combat Nurse’s 10-Year Fight to Win Women a Place of Honor in Washington, D.C. Another of his books, The Wizard of Foz, was chosen as the 2019 Book of the Year by the Track and Field Writers of America. A longtime columnist at The Register-Guard newspaper in Eugene, Oregon, Welch twice won the National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ “Best Writing” category.

He has spoken nationally to dozens of universities and nursing organizations.

Welch is the founder/director of the Beachside Writers Workshop and is a former adjunct professor at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication. He lives in Eugene, Oregon with his wife Sally.

Diane Carlson Evans was born in Minnesota and earned her BSN before volunteering to enlist in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. She served in the Army Nurse Corps for six years with two tours in Vietnam. Her military experience, along with so many other women, drove her to found the Vietnam Memorial Foundation in 1984. Mrs. Carlson Evans lobbied to have a monument built in Washington D.C. to honor the dedication and sacrifice of women in the military. She currently serves as the Chair for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial/Eastern National Advisory Group and is the liaison to the National Park Service Regional Representative on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. She also volunteers for the Eastern National and National Park Service on behalf of the VWM.  Her most recent accolade, the Presidential Citizens Medal, was given by President Biden in December 2024.

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Welcome Weekend Schedule of Events

The Distinguished Lecture Committee has invited Bob Welch to address our students as our 24th Summer Reading keynote speaker. This event kicks off the new school year and all MTSU students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to attend.

Saturday, August 23, 2025
Murphy Center, 4pm

Meet the author for a book signing at the President’s Party on the Knoll.

Friday, August 22, 2025
KUC Knoll, 5:00pm-7:30pm