Indiana State University
      The History Department's
             Annual Newsletter

                                                 From the Chair 

In 2002-03, the History Department revised its Five-Year Plan and developed its exchange program with the University of Malta, sending Ms. Erin Willman to Malta, as our student designee, and bringing to campus Henry Frendo, Professor of History at UM.  In furtherance of the University=s goal of internationalization, Chairperson Hunter accompanied President Benjamin and other members of an ISU delegation to Morocco, where student-faculty exchange agreements were signed with two Moroccan universities.  Upon return, Chairperson Hunter headed the CAS working group, which included Professor Chirhart, for the development of an American Studies program at ISU.

The History Department also continued the process of renewing its ranks, hiring three excellent candidates in tenure-track appointments.  All my colleagues join me in welcoming Anne Foster, Robert Fish, and Daniel Clark to our Afamily.@  They join me, too, in thanking our search committees and their chairs, Don Layton and Richard Schneirov, for conscientious work.  We wish also to thank Carolyn Greenwalt, our efficient departmental staff person, who handled all the paperwork and who often went beyond the call of duty.

2002 was a good year for scholarship in our Department, with one new book, one re-publication of a book, four journal articles and book chapters, eleven book reviews, and thirty-three presentations at conferences, workshops, and other venues.

The Department is very proud that two teaching awards were bestowed upon History faculty this spring.  Rebecca Shoemaker received the 2003 Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award.  The recipient of this award is considered one of Indiana State University's best teachers.  Ann Chirhart received the 2003 College of Arts and Sciences= Educational Excellence Award.  The recipient of this award is recognized for outstanding achievements in the instructional activities in which he/she is engaged.

It is also my pleasure to report success in the area of our travel and research allocations.  One research project received University Research Committee funding; one external grant was awarded for a summer institute; one international travel grant was received from the University; and ten conference papers were funded.

Looking ahead, the Department would like to welcome our new graduate students,  Tim Donnelly (Univ. Of Evansville), Jessica Fields (ISU), Emily Fairbanks (ISU), and Andrew Rolling (St. Ambrose).  They will join returning students John Andrews, Sarah Belton, Leah Bender, Tim Callahan, Susan Davis, Joshua Hammond, Richard Mull, Bill Treadway, and Anthony Waterson.

In closing, on behalf of the entire Department, I would like to offer support to our incoming Interim Chair, Professor Olsen. 

Enrollments

In fall, 2,185 students were enrolled (6561 SCH); in spring, the figure was 1,880 (5679 SCH).  Social Studies majors numbered 151,  providing about 71 percent of our total majors.  Nineteen graduate students were enrolled during 2002-03. 

Undergraduate/Graduate Awards

The Gemmecke Award for the outstanding senior was awarded to Christopher Covert.  The Harr Award for the outstanding junior was presented to Robert Ehresman.  The DAR Award to an undergraduate with a good performance in US history went to Andrew Swearingen.  The Bryant Spann Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Amy Parkison.  The Roll Award, presented to the outstanding graduate student, went to Laura Bergstrom.  This year, for the first time, the College of Arts and Sciences awarded to one student in each department an AOutstanding Student Award.@  Adam Tolliver was named our first recipient.

Speakers

This year, the Department hosted two speakers:  Professor Herman Lebovics (SUNY at Stony Brook) and Professor Henry Frendo (University of Malta).  

Parties

The Fall Welcome Back Party for faculty and graduate students was held at the Hunter residence on September 14.  A Holiday Party was also held at the Hunter residence on December .  An End of the Year Party was held at the Hunter residence on April 26. 

Passing of a Colleague

John Hoyt Williams, Professor Emeritus of History and Indiana State University, the 1995 Distinguished Professor of the College of Arts and Sciences, and 1989 recipient of the University=s Research and Creativity Award, passed away in his home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina on January 13, 2003.  A graduate of the University of Florida, Professor Williams= career at ISU spanned 40 years (1969-1999).  John was a devoted husband, father, and scholar.  He will be missed by all.

Professional Activities

(Publications listed are those for the calendar year 2002.)

Kveta Benes is at the University of Pennsylvania working as a Mellon Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow in the Social Studies and Humanities.  Tuska (as she prefers to be called) presented four conference papers.  She will continue on a leave from Indiana State University until June 30, 2004.

Ann Chirhart was very active in several departmental and university committees, and was also involved in the Women=s Studies program.  She served on numerous panels as both commentator and chair.  Ann presented two papers this year and published one book review.  She was the recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences= Educational Excellence Award.

Gale E. Christianson was the guest speaker at the Carnegie Institute=s Centennial Celebration in Pasadena, California, where he presented Edwin Hubble:  A Biographical Retrospective.  Gale published one book review.  He also served on numerous departmental and university committees.   

James Genova traveled to The Hague, Netherlands, to present a paper at the European Social Science History Conference. Jim presented another paper, published two book reviews, served on several departmental and university committees, and was an advisor to Social Science Education majors.  He is also in the process of developing a web-based course.  He received a University Research Committee Grant to help fund research for his next book. 

William W. Giffin was a member of the Debs Fellowship Committee.  Bill also served as Treasurer of the Executive Council of the Indiana Association of Historians and sat on the Membership Committee of the Organization of American Historians.   

Nancy Hagedorn was a Visiting Fellow at Penn State University=s Institute for the Arts and Humanistic Studies last summer.  Nancy also received an NEH Summer Institute Grant.  She made three conference presentations and served on numerous departmental and university committees.  She is leaving us to pursue her career at SUNY Fredonia. 

Timothy Hawkins gave two conference papers and published one article.  Tim was coordinator for the University Latin American and Latino Studies Committee, served on the CAS Interdisciplinary Committee,  and assisted in the Malta Exchange Program.  His service to the department and the University are quite extensive.