Alumni Newsletter
From the chair’s desk
As I look at this new edition of our newsletter, I can't help thinking of the enduring value of historians in an ever-changing world. Here at Bowling Green State University, our community of history-loving people remains vibrant and active, continually finding innovative ways to keep history alive and relevant. Our students’ achievements, alumni job placements, faculty research, and dynamic outreach programs showcase a department that adapts and strives to advance our collective knowledge.
Much of our work often goes unnoticed in typical newsletter highlights. And I wanted to take the chance of bringing you to this behind-the-scenes tour of what is yet to come. We are designing an online degree program specifically for history teachers that builds on our successful Graduate Certificate for History Educators. Our department has a longstanding relationship with high school educators, having trained many through our programs, hosted them during History Professional Day, and partnered with them for Ohio History Day. This strong relationship has fostered a deep appreciation and recognition of the unique needs and desires for learning that traditional graduate education formats cannot always accommodate.
We are also leveraging our stronger position in digital history (reflected in offering one or two courses every year in this area). We are in dialogue with colleagues across the college to integrate history into a minor and potentially a major in Artificial Intelligence. This initiative aims to apply our historical thinking skills to guide the ethical and productive use of AI. Our commitment to hands-on history teaching remains steadfast. A new cohort of students will soon embark on a journey to Rome to study Ancient Rome firsthand. Additionally, our faculty continues to explore innovative teaching methods, such as labs and active-learning formats, to reinvent traditional history surveys. More advanced classes are benefiting from partnerships with regional organizations, turning academic work into public service.
Last but not least, we love connecting students to our alums. Last spring, for instance, our distinguished alum Tom Gouttierre gave a talk about Afghanistan and the Silk Road to our students, based on his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer and program coordinator. Opportunities like this enrich our student experience tremendously.
We hope this newsletter rekindles your love for history and your connection to BGSU. We’re always eager to connect with our alumni and friends. Please reach out with any updates about yourself—and if you’re willing to share your experiences with new generations of Falcon historians, we’d love to hear from you.
Amílcar E. Challú, Chair
Alumni Spotlight: BGSU alumna designs a unique public history experience
Heather Bloom (MA ‘21) is the Collections Manager at the Bastrop County Museum in Texas. She drew on her many experiences working with collections in Bowling Green and Toledo to design something innovative – a museum exhibit highlighting the stories behind Bastrop County residents’ tattoos.
This unique exhibit featured photos of Bastrop County residents’ tattoos and the stories behind them. When Bloom issued a call for submissions, dozens of locals responded with narratives explaining what their tattoos meant to them.
"It just means that the community is interested in this, and that involvement is really exciting for me," Bloom says. “That’s what we should be doing here in museums is including our community.”
Bloom is interested in finding creative ways to engage the public with history. In this case, the exhibit showcased the personal, local, and group histories around tattoos. These designs commemorate military service, grief, identity, and more.
“Tattoos are more than just skin deep; they carry stories, memories, and cultural significance. We want to showcase the diverse and meaningful tattoos of our community and share the stories behind them,” says Bloom.
Faculty Research Spans Regions and Genres
Apollos Nwauwa published an important contribution to the historiography of the Aro Confederacy, which exerted its influence across Western Africa in the 17th Century. The anthology is entitled The Aro Confederacy: State Formation, Chronology, and Historiography.
Amílcar Challú, writing with co-authors Israel García Solares and Aurora Gómez-Galvarriato, recently published in The Economic History Review. Their article studies trends in income inequality in Mexico City between 1770 and 1930.
Walter Gruden recently lent his expertise to three documentaries: “The Hidden Poison Gas Battle”, “Hitler’s Secret Bomb” and “Secret Weapons of WWII”
Williams Hall was transformed into a recording studio for some of the interviews, while others used the state-of-the-art Kuhlin Center, which houses BGSU School of Media and Communications.
Andrew Schocket contributed to a publication by the American Philosophical Society, Evidence: The Use and Misuse of Data. Dr. Schocket’s article, “Bunk History and the Standards of Historical Interpretation,” considers the role of historical interpretation in understanding Early American sources.
Scott Martin published a piece in The Journal of the Civil War Era titled “A fit resting place for one who loved Liberty, Justice, and Equality”: Liberalism, Antislavery, and the American Expatriate Community in Florence, Italy, 1840-1860." It examines the lives and memory of notable American expatriates in Florence, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
2024 Public Lectures
Part of our service as a public university for the public good includes hosting several scholars each year to present their knowledge in free public lectures.
February 2024
What first began as her Ph.D. research at BGSU has now been published as a book: Revolutionary Blacks: Discovering the Frank Brothers, Freeborn Men of Color, Soldiers of Independence (Westholme Publishing; 2023).
Tracing the story of two brothers – William and Benjamin Frank – as they enlisted in the Revolutionary Army in 1777, Dr. Green spoke about the participation of Black soldiers during the Revolution. Her lecture touched on the complexities of genealogical research and how tracing one family’s story can illuminate the broader context.
Dr. Green teaches at BGSU and the University of Toledo in addition to her work as Director of the Toledo Police Museum.
This lecture was presented with support from the School of Cultural and Critical Studies and the Division of Diversity and Belonging. The full lecture can be streamed.
March 2024
The Department of History welcomed Nikolas Hoel, of Northeastern Illinois University, for a spring guest lecture. His talk, “The Strange Case of the ‘Graptoi’,” delved into the Byzantine iconoclasm controversy. Dr. Hoel also highlighted the emerging field of disability studies within medieval history.
October 2024
Dr. Francis Gavin delivered his “Reflections on Nuclear History” at BGSU on October 24 to a large audience of students, faculty, and community members. Encouraging the students to wrestle with the difficult contours of international policy, Dr. Gavin equipped them with “four questions to ask about nuclear weapons.”
Dr. Gavin is the Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He has published and taught widely on international affairs.
The annual Gary R. Hess Lecture in Policy History honors Dr. Hess’s 45 years of teaching and service to the History Department at BGSU.
You can listen to the lecture on the Department’s YouTube channel.
Total Eclipse of the Swamp – April 8, 2024
On April 8, 2024, Northwest Ohio experienced its first total solar eclipse since 1806. BGSU hosted a watch party at Doyt Perry Stadium, attracting thousands to experience totality. To explore the cultural significance of eclipses, the Department of History collaborated with the Department of Physics and Astronomy on several public events, including a guest lecture from Amílcar Challú on eclipses in Mexican history.
Students in the inaugural “Podcasting in History” course created the “Eclipsing History” podcast, featuring five 30-minute episodes on topics like Indigenous knowledge, scientific insights, and eclipses in history and tourism. Guided by instructors Cheryl Dong and Amílcar Challú, students interviewed experts from various fields and produced the episodes.
Stream “Eclipsing History” on YouTube, Spotify, or our website.
Partial support for the Eclipsing History project was provided by Ohio Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Ohio Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities
The Sky Has No Borders: Reddin Symposium in Canadian Studies
In February 2024, experts gathered at Wood County District Public Library for a panel on astronomical knowledge. Keynote speaker Randall Rosenfeld discussed eclipse-related artifacts from the 1600s, highlighting innovations in understanding solar phenomena. Sarah Reynolds and Frank Dempsey shared insights on ancient astronomical knowledge, tracing how older understandings coexist with modern scientific study.
The full discussion is available on our YouTube channel. This event was made possible by the generosity of the Reddin Family.
Speakers and Special Guests:
- Colin Bird, Consul General of Canada in Detroit
- Dr. Kate Dellenbusch, Bowling Green State University
- Frank Dempsey, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
- Dr. Rebecca Mancuso, Bowling Green State University
- Dr. Sarah Reynolds, University of Indianapolis
- Randall Rosenfeld, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
- Dr. Amílcar Challú, Bowling Green State University
Traveling Exhibit - “Tecumseh’s Eclipse” and Public History
Our Public History Program offers experiential learning, with students creating real-world projects for local organizations. This year, Cheryl Dong’s course designed three portable panels on eclipses and power. These focused on the 1806 Eclipse, known as “Tecumseh’s Eclipse,” significant in the battle for Northwest Ohio. Students learned to craft a complete story for public display within limited space.
The panels traveled to BGSU Firelands, Hancock Historical Center, Bowling Green High School, Fort Meigs, and the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum.
Alumni Spotlight: Tim Beatty Shares Memories & Crossword Puzzles with Current Students
Tim Beatty, a retired teacher, attended BGSU between 1969 and 1976, earning both his Bachelor’s and his Master’s in History and American Culture Studies. He fondly remembers taking classes from Robert Twyman.
He shared one of his longtime hobbies with current students – creating history-related crossword puzzles.
Welcome to the Falcon Family – Savitri Kunze
The Department is delighted to welcome Savitri Kunze to the Falcon family as our new Assistant Professor of History. Dr. Kunze specializes in nineteenth and twentieth century human rights and international sovereignty. She joins us from the University of Chicago and currently teaches courses on U.S. History, World History, and Public History. She also brings expertise in the growing field of Digital History, which has many exciting future applications for our thriving Public History Certificate program. Welcome Savi!
In Memoriam: Emeritus Professor Larry Daly
We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Emeritus Professor Larry Daly on August 6, 2024. Larry was a cherished member of our faculty and a passionate educator who shared his love for history and teaching throughout his career. Even after retirement, he continued to inspire students by offering the course "The Bible as History" nearly every summer.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Larry’s family and friends for their generous donations to the History Department in his memory. Contributions received in August and September have been dedicated to supporting students participating in the Ancient Rome study abroad course in spring 2025, a commitment that reflects Larry’s enduring impact on our students.
To read the full obituary, please visit Dunn Funeral Home.
Ohio History Day 2024 Report
The Department of History is honored to host the Region 1 Contest of Ohio History Day each spring. This year, 175 middle and high school students gathered in the Student Union to display their hard work. For that Saturday, the union has the feel of a science fair – but for history.
Every student participating in National History Day across the country was given the same theme to work with – “Turning Points in History” for 2024. Students then define a research question and create a project in their chosen category – tabletop display, paper, website, documentary, or performance.
Volunteer judges evaluate the projects and top-placing students advance to state and national contests. Many BGSU undergraduates served as judges this year alongside volunteers from a wide variety of professions.
Exciting developments this year include five Region 1 students qualifying for the National Contest in College Park, Maryland! Generous sponsors like Buckeye Broadband, BGSU University Libraries, and the BG Exchange club renewed their support for this year’s contest, while Cenovus Energy came on board with a generous donation through their Future Ready Youth program.
Ohio History Day needs many volunteer judges each year for continued growth. We’re excited to see how students interpret the 2025 theme - “Rights and Responsibilities in History.” If you’re not local to Bowling Green, consider looking up the National History Day Regional Contest near you at nhd.org.
Student News
As a thriving learning community, we are excited to share the achievements of our students each year. Our students deliver lectures, complete internships, design exhibits, and contribute to the historical community in myriad ways. Keep an eye on our Department of History Blog for updates throughout the year.
Public History and Onion Picking – Grad Student shares his Research with Local Community
In the small hours of August 25, 1934, the residents of McGuffey, Ohio were awakened by a nitroglycerin charge exploding in the home of Mayor Godfrey Ott’s home. This was a turning point in the Hardin County Onion Pickers’ Strike. History Graduate Student Chase Fleece dove into that history when he addressed the community members of McGuffey, Ohio, on the 90th anniversary of the Strike.
Fleece recounts how personal the history still is for members of his audience:
“Afterward, as I collected my notes, an elderly gentleman approached me to share his own experiences in the fields.... (he) describe(d) the arduous task of weeding onions in the oppressive heat for mere cents on the dollar; a job he held while just a kid. He thanked me and walked off. It is those memories and experiences that exemplify the importance of local history.”
Fleece is incorporating this research into his MA thesis. You can read more about his research on the History Department Blog.
Undergraduate Awards
Several named scholarships and awards support our undergraduate students in history each year. We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Awards.
Mary Ellen Keil Scholarship Established by Mary Ellen Keil, a graduate of BGSU. Keil was a schoolteacher and later served as a Captain in the USAFR during WWII. This scholarship is granted to a student who has declared an interest in pursuing studies in history. Preference is given to females, native Ohioans, and for scholastic achievement.
- MaKayla Custer
- Faith Limes
- Rachel McFarland
- Elise Miller
- Tara Stadler
- Jaksyn Trimbach
Jo Enger Arthur Scholarship for Study Abroad Created in 2001 by Jo Enger Arthur’s son, Mike Arthur, BGSU class of 1974, in honor of his mother’s interest in history and overseas travel. Jo Arthur studied history at BGSU, where she later met her husband E. Printy Arthur, BGSU class of 1950. This scholarship offers support for study abroad for majors or minors in history, integrated social studies, international studies, or European language.
- Rebekah Shively
- Olivia Warren
General Niles J. Fulwyler History Scholarship Established for the purpose of providing scholarships to History students. General Fulwyler received the BGSU Distinguished Alumni Award in 1984.
- Morgan Dillon
- Sabrina Sprague
- Bryce Weber
Grover and Virginia Platt Memorial Scholarship Established in 1989 in memory of Dr. Grover Platt, former Chair and Professor Emeritus of the Department of History by his wife Dr. Virginia Platt. The scholarship was later changed by the couple’s daughter, Carolyn V. Platt, to honor both parents. Dr. Virginia Platt was a former trustee of the University and served on the History Department faculty. Awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in history. Preference given to students who are the first generation of their family to attend a college or university and recognizes academic achievement.
- Morgan Dillon
- Andrew Hoeffel
- Dylan Rice
Stuart R. and Florence P. Givens Senior History Scholarship Established in 2001 in honor of Dr. Stuart R. Givens, former Chair and Professor Emeritus of the History Department, and University historian, and his wife Florence P. Givens. Dr. Given’s forty-five-year career was dedicated primarily to his two loves – teaching and service to the University and to the Bowling Green community. This award is presented to a rising senior majoring in history or integrated social studies with a minimum GPA of 3.2. The student must have a strong record of service to the department, University, or community.
- Graham Burkart
- Keirstin Ludwig
John Schwarz Essay Award Established in honor of John Schwarz, former Chair of the Department of History. This scholarship is awarded to a history major for the best essay completed for a history requirement.
- Noah Fitch for his paper “Revolution Lost: Lafayette’s Public Image in the French Revolution” written in HIST 4463: The French Revolution: Liberty & Death, 1789-1804, for Dr. Kara Barr in Fall 2023.
Donna M. Neiman Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence in History Presented to an undergraduate student who submits an excellent history research paper based on primary sources. Recipient agrees to present their work in a public forum sponsored by the Department of History.
- Chloe Kozal for her paper “Troublesome Addicts”: Reevaluating Vietnam Servicemember Drug Use” written in Dr. Scott Martin's Alcohol & Drugs in U.S. History course.
Outstanding Senior in History Award Presented to a senior history major for service to the Department and fellow majors combined with demonstrated academic excellence.
- Alex Eckhart was selected for this award for her academic achievements and many service contributions to the Department of History ranging from serving as President of the Falcon History Society, volunteering as a judge for Ohio History Day and organizing events for the 2024 Eclipse.
Graduate Students Receive Awards for Scholarship and Service for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The Department is proud of our graduate students’ accomplishments as emerging professionals. To honor their accomplishments and service, a number of awards are presented each year.
Best Teaching Assistant: Jack Lawrence
Nominated by Dr. Michael Brooks, Jack consistently performed at a high level in Dr. Brooks’ Fall 2023 course “Ohio History.” He provided numerous suggestions to improve the course, and his feedback on individual class sessions was extremely helpful. He maintained a great rapport with students and demonstrated strong teaching competency.
Best Graduate Student Departmental Citizen: Emily Shaver-Kay
Emily received this award for her exemplary service to the Department. Emily led the BGSU chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, assisted with recruitment events, attended teaching demonstrations during the 2023/2024 faculty search, and volunteered as a judge during the 2024 Ohio History Day Contest.
Best Research Paper: Shelby Vasko
“Legacies of Vampires and Voodoo Queens: The Casket Girls, Marie Laveau and the Impact of Ghost Tours and Public Spectacle”
Written for Dr. Mancuso’s “French in North America” course, Vasko pieced together stories of these women of early New Orleans who lived on the margins. She analyzed how the memory of these women has been warped, as they are now associated with satanic ritual, vampirism, and hauntings. Despite attempts to counter such myths, “dark” tourism remains lucrative, and thus perpetuating the stigma of women on the margins, historically and today.
Best Public History Capstone: Samantha Davis
Nominated by Dr. Dong for her public history course, Samantha created "Who is Naya? A Reflection on Art, History and Diversity." In addition to her training as a public historian, Samantha is a talented artist, with her drawings playing a prominent role in the public history projects she creates.
Best Thesis: Peter Strzempka
Nominated by Dr. Stark, Peter received the 2024 Best Thesis Award for “Contradictions Between Words and Deeds: The Church and Slavery in Italy, 600-800 C.E.” Peter analyzed the role of the Church in the institution of slavery between 600 and 800 C.E. in a comparative analysis of hagiography, councils, letters, and legal codes to assess this discrepancy of what the Church said and what the Church did, namely the idealized free Christians from slavery while simultaneously continuing the practice. To complete the project, Peter had to learn new methodologies particular to the study of Medieval history, and his thesis was selected for the award for its deep familiarity with his sources, and for its contributions to the current scholarship on this topic.
Student serves as Ohio Museum Association Social Media Intern
The Department of History benefits from the work of our social media intern, Graham Burkhart, to manage our Instagram, Facebook, and X accounts. During the Summer 2024 Ohio Museum Association Conference, Burkhart also brought their skills and knowledge as the OMA Social Media Ambassador.
By posting summaries of the conference sessions and photos of the various historical sites they studied, Burkhart was able to forward the OMA’s efforts to expand the conference experience to those who were not able to join in person.
“This does give me inspiration and an expansion on my accessibility training within social media and the possible future opportunities I hope to have in curating exhibits,” said Burkhart. Read more about their experience on the Department of History blog.
Chase Fleece
Alongside nine other burgeoning undergraduate scholars, I presented “Rice is the Price: American Agriculturalists as Counterinsurgents in South Vietnam, 1964-73” in a lightning round style panel on the Vietnam War and the Global 70s. Being the only scholar – among only a handful of others in the entire conference – focusing on agricultural history, I had the unique opportunity to introduce others to its infinite wonders.
The annual conference of the AHA is the largest gathering of professional historians in the United States which meant that networking was abundant. Through attending receptions, panels, and the occasional elevator ride, I was able to connect with a wide range of scholars inside and outside my direct fields of interest.
BGSU Students, Faculty, & Alums, Present at the Ohio Academy of History
This year’s Ohio Academy of History (OAH) Conference had a full cast of falcons! Dr. Rebecca Mancuso, Associate Professor of History and the Graduate Coordinator, presented her research on the history of hazing, while Sarah Butler-Tongate, Reference Archivist at BGSU, delivered a talk tracing the lives of children who lived in the Lucas County Children’s Home.
Current students Chase Fleece, Chloe Kozal, McKade Schultz, and Andrea Freimuth (American Culture Studies) delivered papers. BGSU alums Don Eberle, Jacob Mach, and Chris Blubaugh all presented as well.
Welcome to our New Senior Secretary
The Department recently welcomed Angie Legg as our new Senior Secretary. Angie joins us from the Wood County Court of Common Pleas, where she worked as an Assistant Case Manager. If you’re in or around Williams Hall, stop in and say hello.
2025 Black History Month Guest Lecture
The Department of History is honored to host Dr. Modupe Labode as our Black History Month Guest Speaker. Labode is the Curator with the Division of Political History at the National Museum of American History. Mark your calendars for February 4, 2025.
Ohio Histiory Day Contest
Volunteers needed! Volunteer judges evaluate student projects for the day-long history fair event in the Student Union on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Learn more and sign up online.
2025 Women’s History Month Guest Lecture
Dr. Tracey Hanshew, Assistant Professor of History at Eastern Oregon University, will deliver our Women’s History Month Guest Lecture on March 18, 2025. Hanshew specializes in rural and Western women’s history, with a special focus on women in rodeo.
Connecting Students and Alumni
Department of History students secure competitive internships, fellowships, and career-focused positions across the region each year. Recent graduates of both our B.A. and M.A. programs can benefit in their job search from BGSU's extensive alumni network. If your organization has an internship, job opening, or other opportunity that may be of interest to current students or recent graduates, please contact Dr. Rebecca Mancuso at rmancus@bgsu.edu.
Giving to the BGSU Department of History
Generous donations enable the Department of History to support scholarships, research and programming that benefit students and the historical community. If you wish to make a gift, visit bgsu.edu/give and search for the Department of History under "Fund Options." There are also options to donate in memory or in honor of an individual.
If you would like assistance in making your gift or learning more about the various ways to make an impact, please contact Karmen Concannon, Director of Development, at 419-372-4263 or kconcan@bgsu.edu.
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Updated: 12/10/2024 05:11PM