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The University of Tennessee

Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment



ISSE Staff > David Brill


ISSE Staff

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David Brill
Assistant Director, Publications & Communications

Office Phone: (865) 974-1178
Email: dbrill1@utk.edu
M.A., Journalism, Ball State University
B.A., English/Political Science, Indiana University

Mr. Brill, a former journalism and creative-writing instructor, has served as editor of five national publications and has written a weekly series for broadcast on national cable television. He currently serves as director of communications for the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment (ISSE).

Mr. Brill’s articles have appeared in more than 20 national magazines, including National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Health, Parenting, FamilyFun, Bicycling, Backpacker, American Way, Outside, America, Campus Voice, Special Report, Writer’s Digest, and Economic Edge.

Mr. Brill’s latest book, Desire and Ice: Searching for Perspective atop Denali, was published by National Geographic Adventure Press in November 2002. The book is an account of the author’s 2001 ascent of 20,320-foot Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America and one of the coldest mountains on Earth.

His second book, A Separate Place: A Father’s Reflections on Building a Home and Renewing a Family, was published by Plume (imprint of Penguin) in July 2001. His first book, As Far as the Eye Can See: Reflections of an Appalachian Trail Hiker, is a collection of essays based on his five-month, 2,100-mile trek of the Appalachian Trail. The book, published by Rutledge Hill Press in 1990, was released in paperback in December 2001 by the Appalachian Trail Conference and is now in its fifth printing.

Selected Publications:

  • David C. Brill, Desire and Ice: Searching for Perspective atop Denali, National Geographic Adventure Press, November 2002. An account of the author’s 2001 ascent of 20,320-foot Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America and one of the coldest mountains on Earth.
  • David C. Brill, "Challenge on Denali," National Geographic Traveler On-line. Narrative account of the author’s 22-day expedition to the summit of Mt. McKinley. November 2002.
  • David C. Brill, A Separate Place: A Father’s Reflections on Building a Home and Renewing a Family, Plume, July 2001. An account of the author’s retreat to a remote, rustic cabin to transition through the end of an 18-year marriage and strengthen his bonds with his two daughters. (A hardcover version was previously published by the Dutton division of Penguin, September 2000).
  • David C. Brill, As Far as the Eye Can See: Reflections of an Appalachian Trail Hiker, Appalachian Trail Conference, December 2001. A collection of essays based on the author’s five-month, 2,100-mile trek of the Appalachian Trail.
  • David C. Brill, "Walk This Way," Men's Health. The article challenges the magazine’s readers to prepare for and hike the final 120 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. April 2001
  • David C. Brill, "Appalachian Reunion," National Geographic Traveler, September 2000. Narrative account of the author’s reunion hike in Maine with his former Appalachian Trail buddies 20 years after they completed the 2,100-mile hike.
  • David C. Brill, "Self-Starters," Economic Edge: The Economic Development Guide of the Tennessee Valley Authority, September 2000.

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