Congratulations to our Staff Assistant, Beverley Gentry!

The members of the History Department have long known how lucky we are to have Beverley Gentry as our Senior Staff Assistant. And, as it turns out, we aren't the only ones who recognize Bev's talents. On Tuesday, June 19, 2007, Bev was recognized as a recipient of the 2007 UAH Foundation Staff Award. In addition to keeping the History Department running smoothly, Bev has participated in the UAH Staff Senate as Chair of the Policy and Procedure Committee, and she is also a member of the University Women's Club and the International Association of Administrative Professionals. When asked what she likes most about her job, Bev responded that she appreciates the varied interactions she has with both faculty and students and that she has enjoyed watching the growth of UAH since she began to work here 17 years ago. She also said that she is "proud to work for an outstanding department that makes her want to strive to do her very best work." We, the faculty of the history department, all know that we would not be able to do our best work without Bev's dependable and eager support. Congratulations, Bev, and thanks for all that you do for us!

Congratulations Times Two for Dr. John Severn!

Dr. John Severn, Associate Provost at UAH, had a very good year. First, he was promoted to Professor of History. Second, the University of Oklahoma Press just published his new book, Architects of Empire: The Duke of Wellington and His Brothers (2007).

The University of Oklahoma Press website describes Dr. Severn's book as follows:

"A soldier and statesman for the ages, the Duke of Wellington is a towering figure in world history. John Severn now offers a fresh look at the man born Arthur Wellesley to show that his career was very much a family affair, a lifelong series of interactions with his brothers and their common Anglo-Irish heritage. The untold story of a great family drama, Architects of Empire paints a new picture of the era through the collective biography of Wellesley and his siblings. Severn takes readers from the British Raj in India to the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars to the halls of Parliament as he traces the rise of the five brothers from obscurity to prominence. Severn covers both the imperial Indian period before 1800 and the domestic political period after 1820, describing the wide range of experiences Arthur and his brothers lived through. Architects of Empire brings together in a single volume a grand story that before now was discernible only through political or military analysis. Weaving the personal history of the brothers into a captivating narrative, it tells of sibling rivalry among men who were by turns generous and supportive, then insensitive and cruel. Whereas other historians have minimized the importance of family ties, Severn provides an unusually nuanced understanding of the Duke of Wellington. Architects of Empire casts his career in a new light—one that will surprise those who believe they already know the man."

Dr. Severn earlier published A Wellesley Affair: Richard Marques Wellesley and the Conduct of Anglo-Spanish Diplomacy, 1809-1812 (Florida, 1981).

35 Years and Still Going Strong!

At the annual Service Luncheon on April 27, 2007, the university honored Dr. Lee Williams II, Professor of History and Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, for 35 years of service to UAH. After the lunch, Dr. Williams remarked on several key changes during his time at UAH, noting in particular the expansion of the campus, the growth of the student body, and the increasing diversity of students and faculty. When asked of what he is most proud in his 35 years at UAH, Dr. Williams first responded "longevity!" He then emphasized that he is particularly proud of his work helping students reach their academic potential, walk across the stage at graduation, and become productive citizens. He has also enjoyed experiencing the "dynamism" of the history department and is particularly proud that his department has set high standards for teaching, scholarship, and service. We wish you many more years of longevity, Dr. Williams!

New Course Offering for Fall 2007: Women in U.S. History

The UAH History Department would like to announce a new course offering for Fall 2007, HY 367-01, "Women in U.S. History." The course will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:35-10:55 in Roberts Hall 423. Please consider registering for this course!

Congratulations New Phi Alpha Theta Initiates!

On Friday April 13, faculty, students, and friends of the UAH History Department traveled to Rogersville, Alabama, to the "Castle," the home of Dr. Richard Gerberding, to celebrate the initiation of thirteen students into the Phi Alpha Theta national history honorary.

Congratulations to new initiates Diane Allaway, Jimmy Bedsole, Thomas Bockhorn, Winston Boyd, Jennifer Coe, Veronica Ferreira, Brittany Luchtefeld, Christine McIntosh, John McLaughlin, Alex Methvin, Christopher Paysinger, Jennifer Staton, and Daniel Taylor.

Several already initiated members also attended the initiation, including chapter president Whitney Snow, chapter vice president Daniel Lofgren, and Brad Lewis, John Michael Huggins, and Thomas Reidy.

The photograph, from left to right and front to back, features John Michael Huggins, Alex Methvin, Chris Paysinger, Veronica Ferreira, Brittany Luchtefeld, Jennifer Coe, Tom Reidy, Christine McIntosh, Daniel Lofgren, Whitney Snow, Daniel Taylor, John McLaughlin, and Brad Lewis.

Congratulations to all new members, and special thanks to Dr. Gerberding for welcoming over 40 people to the Castle!

2007 History Tournament

The annual Liberal Arts Tournament took place on April 12, 2007 in Chan Auditorium (for History and Political Science) and in Roberts Hall for Art. Nearly one hundred students from five schools (Ardmore, Catholic, Covenant Christian Academy, Hazel Green, and Randolph) participated in the World History and U.S. History portion of the competition, with awards given to teams and to individuals. The spirited team competition came down to a tight contest in which UAH history graduates coached the top two teams: Jeff Murphy at Randolph and Ann Lawson at Catholic (pictured here). By the narrowest margin in recent memory, Randolph won both history competitions, with Catholic High second. (Catholic won an equally close battle with Randolph in the Government competition.) Covenant Christian Academy finished third in the World contest, and Ardmore (coached by UAH history grad student Brad Lewis) finished third in the U.S. test. This is the first time that UAH history students or former students coached all three of the top teams in either contest. Kudos to Beverley Gentry, who pulled things together as she has in every Tournament since the first one, and in this case she rescued the day’s festivities by overcoming two daunting challenges: construction material (for a stage set) littered the auditorium when she arrived, and later in the morning lunches arrived much later than requested. Dean Sue Kirkpatrick and retiring UAH President Frank Franz, both long-time supporters of the Tournament, spoke briefly to the students.

Congratulations to our Student Award Winners!

At the Honors Convocation on April 10, four of our history majors received honors and awards. Daniel Lofgren received two awards, the "Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement Award" for the history department and the "National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Alabama History Award." John Michael Huggins won the "Outstanding Graduate Achievement Award" for the history department. The final departmental award went to Diane Allaway, who won the "Colonel Walter Aston Chapter of the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century History Award." In addition, history major Veronica Ferreira won second prize in the Kathryn L. Harris Women's Studies Paper Competition.

Check out the photographs of our students after the Liberal Arts Convocation, one featuring Daniel, Diane, and John Michael, and the other featuring Veronica with her husband Brian and children Cece, Timothy, and Lily.

Congratulations Daniel, John Michael, Diane, and Veronica. We are very proud of you!