Dan McDonough is the Senior historian at UTM. He has compiled a lengthy record of service and research. He has been active in university, local, and public service. Among his favorite activities have been the fifteen years he served with the UTM Honors Program, culminating in his serving as Director between 2005 and 2011; his terms on the University of Tennessee Press Board, on which he is currently serving his fourth term; and his numerous terms on the Faculty Senate, culminating in his service as President in 2023-24. He is currently serving as the Faculty Representative on the UTM Advisory Board.

He has compiled a long record of research, publishing two books, several articles, and numerous reviews, essays, etc. Currently he is completing the research for two book manuscripts concerning Boston during the American Revolution. The first is a study of the Boston radical leader William Molineaux, and the second is a study of Boston from the Tea Party of December 1773 through the proclamation of independence in August 1776.

But his greatest love has been teaching and working with students. In addition to his regular courses in early American and British history, he has developed several special topics courses including courses on the American Revolution, the History of Ireland, and Film and History. He has also been active in the Travel-Study program, taking students on trips throughout the eastern half of the United States and to England and Ireland. He enjoys working with students outside of the classroom and has served as advisor to a host of academic and social organizations.