Congratulations and Farewell to Dr. Philip Boucher!

On Sunday August 19, 2007, Dr. Philip Boucher gathered with his wife Mary Alice and many colleagues and friends at the Bonefish Grill to celebrate his retirement from UAH after 33 years. Everybody enjoyed celebrated Dr. Boucher's accomplishments, as well as eating salmon, steak, and other yummy food, as these photographs reveal. One picture shows Dr. Boucher addressing the crowd, with his wife Mary Alice and Dean Sue Kirkpatrick to his side. One picture shows Dr. Andy Dunar, history department chair, reading a letter from retired UAH historian Dr. John White. The final picture shows Dr. Boucher with Beverley Gentry, the history department's staff assistant for the last 17 years.

Dr. Boucher, the first Distinguished Professor in the UAH College of Liberal Arts, never let his passion and productivity as a scholar wane over 33 years. In fact, he is publishing his fifth book with the Johns Hopkins University Press later this fall! He will also continue to serve UAH students when he returns to the classroom for Spring Semester 2008 to teach two classes as part of a post-retirement contract. Dr. Boucher's colleagues and students are delighted that he will be with us a bit longer!

Dr. Dunar's African Safari

Dr. Andy Dunar and his wife Cathie traveled to Kenya and Tanzania for a three-week safari this summer! Dr. Dunar enjoyed taking photographs (and a fellow traveler caught him in the act!), observing how the Maasai live, and talking with his Kenyan tour guide about politics and society. The most astonishing part of the trip was observing the wildebeest migration pictured here. He also enjoyed seeing zebras, lions, birds, and other African animals, too.

Dr. J Looks for Squatters

In May and early June, Dr. Johnson traveled to Berlin to conduct preliminary research for a new research project on "Collective Living, Social Experimentation, and Cultural Critique in Postwar West Berlin." As part of her research, she took photos of a famous squat calling for the destruction of capitalism and of an outdoor "automobile village." While in Germany, Dr. Johnson also traveled to Munich and Nuremberg to lay the foundations for a Global Studies course to be taught in Summer 2008, on "Munich, Nuremberg, Berlin: Legacies of the Third Reich." In Nuremberg, she accidentally discovered the red light district while checking out a student hostel. Fortunately, she was able to find other accommodations for UAH students!

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!