Brown Bag Lunch #2
October 2024
Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the research HPS faculty are doing right now. Our October BBL will be by Dr. Jeffery Pearson on Wednesday, September 26 at 12pm in Witherspoon 238 and is co-sponsored by the History Club.
Dr. Pearson will talk about the role of Crazy House as a battlefield leader during the Battle of Little Bighorn. All ATU students, faculty, and staff are welcome!
Careers in History
September 2024
ATU’s Phi Alpha Theta president and HPS graduate student in history, Sabrina As’ous is spear heading a new fall virtual speaker series intended to help students better understand some of the many career options they’ll have after completing a degree in history. On September 25th at 7pm, we’ll hear from the our very own alumna, Kimberly Green.
Kimberly is a May 2023 graduate from Arkansas Tech whose thesis titled "Analyzing the Relationship Between Aid Agencies and the Union Army in Civil War Arkansas from 1862 to 1865" explored the African American experience during the Civil War in Arkansas. She is the Genealogy Manager at the Pine Bluff / Jefferson County Library System. She is currently researching the disparity between Black Arkansans' property ownership and the Union Army following the Civil War.
Please register for Careers in History: Kimberly Green to get the WebEx link.
We hope you’ll join us!
Constitution Day 2024
September 2024
Another fantastic celebration of Constitution Day has wrapped up. Organized every year by HPS faculty Dr. Michael Rogers and Dr. Jeffery Pearson, this year’s celebration participation included local dignitaries and more than 100 Arkansas Tech University student volunteers.
On September 17, the annual U.S. Constitution reading at Arkansas Tech happened at Hindsman Tower. In addition to students, public readers included Pope County Judge Ben Cross, Russellville Mayor Fred Teague and VPAA Dr. Adolfo Santos. Before the reading began Mayor Teague took questions from the student volunteers and talked about his role as an elected official.
Dr. Pearson presided over the U.S. Constitution reading volunteers and sound equipment. Megan Bell (ATU coordinator of civic and community engagement and leadership development) organized a voter registration drive and arranged for free snow cones. Dr. Peter Dykema oversaw the HPS grill that supplied hotdogs for all, and the History Club held a successful bake sale as their first fundraise of the year.
Dr. Rogers arranged for ATU students to teach local elementary and junior high school students about the U.S. Constitution. Dr. Debra Murphy (associate professor of curriculum and instruction) led over 20 ATU students, who provided Constitution Day learning activities to third and fourth grade students at Dwight Elementary School in Russellville. Meanwhile, Dr. Rogers, and an additional two dozen ATU students reached 400 eighth grade students at Russellville Junior High School with a lesson on the U.S. Constitution.
Study Abroad Scholarships
September 2024
HPS students are encouraged to attend 2 upcoming workshops on scholarships for study abroad opportunities.
Gilman Scholarship Workshop
- Friday, Sept 13, 2024 @1pm
- Miller Center in Dean 117
- ATU Director of International Education, Ms. Gabriele Haulmark and Dr. Kelsey Utne will tell students about the application process for the Benjamin A. Gilman Study Abroad Scholarship Workshop.
CLS Workshop
- Friday, Sept 27, 2024 @1pm
- Miller Center in Dean 117
- Dr. Utne will talk about the Critical Language Scholarship program application process, as well as her experiences as a 2x CLS recipient (India, 2012; Tajikistan, 2016).
Brown Bag Lunch Series
September 2024
Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the research HPS faculty are doing right now. All ATU students, faculty, and staff are welcome!
Our first talk will be by Dr. Housenick, Assistant Professor of Political Science on Wednesday, September 26 at 12pm in Witherspoon 238. Dr. Housenick will dig into the history of gambling legislation in Arkansas and efforts to build a casino in Pope County.
Doris A. Blaisdell Scholarship
September 2024
Five HPS students earning their MA in History were awarded the Doris A. Blaisdell Scholarship for the fall 2024 semester! Each of these students have maintained a 4.0 as graduate students – an impressive feat!
This year’s recipients are:
- Sabrina As'ous of Van Buren
- Trenton Corley of Conway
- Anna Hallum of Little Rock
- Justin Isbell of Heber Springs
- Karla Parker of Hot Springs
Congratulations, all! We’re proud of you and your hard work!
Scholarship namesake Doris A. Blaisdell (right) and her husband Lowell (left).
Doris and Lowell spent 2 years here while Lowell taught social studies at ATU from 1955 to 1956, before leaving Russellville. Lowell went on to teach history at Texas Tech University for almost 30 years.
Despite their short time here, ATU left an indelible mark on the couple. They left a legacy gift to create an endowed scholarship for the ATU Graduate College and earmarked funds for the ATU Department of History and Political Science. Our department remains grateful to them for their time here, their generosity, and a commitment to supporting HPS students.
Constitution Day 2024
September 2024
Volunteers needed
Help celebrate the birth of the U.S. Constitution! We need volunteers for each of the following annual activities:
- Present educational programs to students at Russellville public schools, or
- Participate in a public reading of the U.S. Constitution at Hindsman Bell Tower.
To volunteer email Dr. Jeff Pearson (jpearson9@atu.edu) or Dr. Michael Rogers (mrogers6@atu.edu) or call (479) 968-0265 and leave a message.
Constitution Day 2024 Activities Sponsored by: Arkansas Tech University, Department of History & Political Science, and the College of Arts & Humanities.
2x HPS Alumnus Teaching College Classes
August 2024
When Karl Lowry graduated with his BA in history in 2020, he told the Arkansas Tech News about pushing through to finish his degree amidst the pandemic.
“There have been several times when quitting would have been an easy choice, but I would have let myself and the faculty down... They are invested in people and I am grateful for their kindness.”
After he graduated, he hoped to pursue graduate study in history and then teach history to college students.
Exactly 2 years later Karl graduated from ATU again -- this time earning an MA in
history. While he was graduate student, Karl provided leadership for the ATU Graduate Student Council and conducted local history
research on Greek immigration to Arkansas.
Now Karl has made his goal of teaching college students a reality as an adjunct professor for Southern New Hampshire University!
We're always excited to hear from past students. Are you an HPS alum? Send your update to Dr. Dykema (pdykema@atu.edu) and let us know what you're up to now!.
History Club Kicks off Fall '24
August 2024
The History Club is starting the semester off strong! On Friday Aug 23rd they're hosting a game night in WPN 238 at 6pm. Then on Thursday Aug 29 they hold their first meeting of the year in BazTech 202 at 5:30pm.
Paper Marbling @ Orientation
August 2024
Some of our HPS freshmen students joined Department Head Dr. Aaron McArthur to create paper marbling during orientation. Paper marbling processes have existed for hundreds of years, and have been linked to historic processes of bookbinding.
Bounds to 2024 Paralympics
August 2024
Kaitlin Bounds (BA History '14) will be a member of the Team USA Paralympic track and field team in the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games Aug. 28-Sept. 8 in France. Bounds is the only Arkansan to earn a place on the Team USA Paralympic track and field team for Paris 2024.
Congratulations, Kaitlin! We're cheering for you from Witherspoon Hall!
HPS @ AGS
July 2024
For a second year, history professor Dr. Peter Dykema welcomed the 45th class of Arkansas Governor's School students. Dr. Dykema serves as co-director alongside Dr. Jacob Grosskopf, ATU associate professor of geology.
This summer's students will have a chance to meet 3 more HPS professors who are AGS instructors this year:
- Dr. Patrick Hagge, professor of geography
- Dr. Brendan Toner, associate professor of political science
- Dr. Kelsey Utne, assistant professor of history
Speakers at the opening ceremony for the 45th Arkansas Governor's School were (from
left-to-right): Dr. Jacob Grosskopf, AGS co-director; Lupe Pena de Martinez, director
of student support services, Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary
and Secondary Education; Dr. Russell Jones, Arkansas Tech University president; and
Dr. Peter Dykema, AGS co-director.
England bound!
June 2024
Social Studies Ed Major Earns Study Abroad Scholarship
Russellville native and Social Studies Education major, Jacob Howard will travel to London, England, as part of a group led by faculty mentor Dr. Cheryl Monfee.
Howard received a scholarship from the U.S. Department of State Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which will help pay for his trip. Gilman scholarships enable students to study or intern abroad and develop skills deemed critical to national security and economic prosperity.
Interested in Gilman Scholarships? Get in touch with Gilman adviser Dr. Kelsey Utne.
National Security Seminar
May 2024
Through The Washington Center, 9 ATU students and faculty mentor Dr. Chris Housenick spent a week in Washington D.C. examining the national security challenges facing the United States and the world today.
For information on going to a future trip to D.C., please contact Dr. Michael Rogers, the HPS liaison with The Washington Center.
The ATU delegation at the event consisted of (from left-to-right) Barry Findley of Little Rock, Dr. Christopher Housenick, Yesenia Arias of Guymon, Okla., Brandon Ramirez of Rogers, Roxi Aliabadi of Rockwall, Texas, Maysie Morgan of England, Abby Tate of Russellville, Abbie Warren of Hector, Alexis Pridmore of Russellville and Dayton Lamb of Clinton, Mo.
HPS Awards Reception
May 2024
Dr. Kelsey Utne and Dr. Jeffrey Pearson organized our first annual spring awards reception on May 1, 2024. In addition to honoring this year's HPS scholarship awardees and paper prize winners, they welcomed new inductees into Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society.
Dr. Utne welcomes Jacqueline Diaz Lopez into Phi Alpha Theta
May 2024 Phi Alpha Theta Inductees
Madelyn Kate Belin
Jacqueline Andrea Diaz Lopez
Lois J. Long
Cameron M. McGarrah
Gabrielle M. Stockand
Emily A. Stolp
Paige M. Warren
Jeffrey C. Weaver
Landon Blair Weaver
Are YOU eligible for Phi Alpha Theta next year? Check out the Phi Alpha Theta application requirements.
ATU Faculty Award of Excellence
May 2024
Congratulations Dr. Jones!
This week the university recognized 3 faculty members for their contributions to the campus community with a 2024 ATU Faculty Award of Excellence. Among them is our own Dr. Kelly Jones, associate professor of history!
Photographed (from left-to-right): Dr. Peng “Roc” Huang, Dr. Kelly Jones and Dr. Tennille
Lasker-Scott, winners of the 2024 Arkansas Tech University Faculty Awards of Excellence.
Pre-Law Society Sends Members to Law School
April 2024
The Arkansas Tech University Pre-Law Society announced five of its members have been accepted to attend law school beginning in fall 2024.
Bethany Frazier of Ozark, Grant Smith of Russellville, Cameron Swaim of Rose Bud, Lauren Blankenship of Ardmore, Okla., and Nicholas Doerhoff of Little Rock have achieved that distinction after completing their undergraduate degrees at ATU. Frazier is a 2023 ATU graduate. The others are all members of the ATU Class of 2024.
Frazier and Doerhoff will attend the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. Smith and Swaim will attend the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. Blankenship will attend the Oklahoma City University School of Law.
Professor Emeritus
Congratulations to our own Dr. Michael Tarver who was one of 3 ATU professors awarded emeritus status by the Board of Trustees!
History Club Game Night
Keep an eye open for another game night in the fall semester!
4 HPS Majors among 2024 Who’s Who
March 2024
Did you check out ATU's 2024 Who’s Who List?
The annual Who’s Who selection is based upon academic achievement, service to the community while enrolled at ATU, leadership and involvement in co-curricular activities and the potential for continued success. Out of 41 students, four HPS majors received this honor!
Political Science Guymon, OK
History Springdale, AR
Political Science & International Studies Berryville, AR
Political Science & Sociology and Criminal Justice Clarksville, AR
Women’s History Month Speaker:
Kat Robinson
March 2024
The Department of History and Political Science will offer a Women’s History Month presentation entitled “Kat Robinson: Working Woman in Arkansas Food” on Tuesday, March 26. An ATU alumna, Robinson (BA Journalism '95) will present research on the history of women and Arkansan pies.
Robinson is a committee member for the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame and has been published
in regional and national publications including Food Network, Forbes Travel Guide
and Serious Eats. Her film “Make Room For Pie: A Delicious Slice of The Natural State”
was nominated for an Emmy award.
Robinson’s March 26th talk will begin at 6 p.m. in room 300B of Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center, 305 West Q Street on the ATU campus in Russellville.
Admission will be free. Pie donated by Stoby’s will be served while supplies last.
HPS classes for Fall 2024
February 2024
The schedule for next semester is out! From Geography of Asia to Digital History, Latin American Politics to the Philosophy of Law, this schedule has something for everyone.
We’ve compiled a list of HPS electives to help you find that perfect class!
History Major wins statewide award
February 2024
Arkansas Tech University senior Jace Bridges (History '24) of Springdale is the Alpha Phi Alpha Outstanding College Brother of the Year for the State of Arkansas.
Reflecting on when he toured Arkansas Tech during his senior year at Springdale High School in 2020, Bridges said:
“The (ATU) campus felt like a place where I could be somebody and not just a number,” said Bridges. “Arkansas Tech’s campus felt like a place I was supposed to be.”
And after he graduates this spring? What's next for this young leader?
“My aspirations are to become a teacher and then a school principal in underfunded schools in a predominantly black community to help guide and inspire the next generation of student to go further than I have. Our youth need to be shown they matter and given the mental and physical tools to be the best they can be, and it is my utmost aspiration to equip them to change the world.”
Congratulations, Jace!
HPS events for February 2024
Dr. Kelly Jones’ Fall
Sabbatical Plans
November 2023
Associate professor of history, Dr. Kelly Houston Jones is one of 23 scholars selected as George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon research fellows for the 2024-25 academic year.
On this trip, Jones’ research will focus on the sometimes violent response of slave owners and other whites when enslaved people in America resisted or escaped during the 1700s and 1800s. She noted that exploring this at Mount Vernon inevitably brings up the complex relationship between the founding fathers’ stated goal of building a nation rooted in freedom while some of them were slave owners.
As an award recipient, she will receive housing, stipends and travel reimbursement. The fellowship also provides the resources housed in the George Washington Presidential Library and the support of trained staff. Fellows reside in a shared residence, the Richard and Helen DeVos House, located on the grounds of the library.
“They do a good job at Mount Vernon of interpreting the role of slavery and the legacy of slavery,” said Jones. “They are fearless about that. So, it’s a good model for how to intellectually be part of this while also remembering the weight of it. They do a good job of threading that.”
In addition to her research, Jones plans to gather content at Mount Vernon that she can integrate into her classes at Arkansas Tech when she returns to the classroom in spring 2025.
HPS electives for
spring 2024
October 2023
GEOG 3413Geography |
HIST 3243Archive & Manuscript Management |
HIST 3323Modern |
HIST 3623History |
HIST 4143Native American History |
HIST 4203Women in |
HIST 4503History of |
HIST 4983Corpses: |
POLS 4033Principles |
POLS 4983History of |
Talk to your adviser for more details!
HPS Hot Dog Roast
October 2023
Attention all HPS majors!
Do you like free hotdogs and s'mores? Sitting by a fire pit on an autumn evening? Then join us for a relaxing evening courtesy of the Department of History and Political Science.
When?
6-9pm on Saturday October 13, 2023
Where:
139 Scenic Acres Lane East
Russellville, AR 72802
Please fill out RSVP by October 11. Need a ride? No worries! Dr. Utne is arranging carpool.
If you have any other questions, please email Dr. Rogers at mrogers6@atu.edu
HPS Celebrates Constitution Day 2023
September 2023
Dr. Michael Rogers, professor of political science, and 16 ATU students taught a U.S. Constitution lesson to every eighth-grade history class at Russellville Junior High School on Friday, Sept. 15.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kelsey Utne, assistant professor of history, and approximately two dozen ATU students spoke to third and fourth grade students at Dwight Elementary School about the document that established the United States of America.
The observance continued on Saturday, Sept. 16, with a public reading of the U.S. Constitution during Party at the Plaza tailgating in advance of ATU’s home football game that evening. Russellville Mayor Fred Teague was among the dignitaries who joined ATU students, faculty and staff in taking turns reading portions of the document. Dr. Jeff Pearson, associate professor of history, coordinated the public reading.
Critical Language Scholarship Workshop
Dr. Utne is an assistant professor of history and two-time CLS program alumna. Her first CLS award allowed her to student Hindi in India in 2012. Then, four years later she won a second CLS award to study Persian in Tajikistan.
Political Science Students Visit Washington D.C.
January 2023
A group of Political Science students got the opportunity to participate in an internship
in D.C. last week, learning how our government works and got to take an inside look into issues that are being discussed
in the government. These students got the opportunity to tour the State Capitol building and meet with
AR Representative Rick Crawford to discuss how they can get involved in Arkansas politics.
Learn about future opportunities through The Washington Center.
Constitution Day 2022
September 2022
ATU students and faculty in History and Political Science visited Dwight Elementary School and Russellville Junior High to teach students a lesson on the Constitution and its significance as part of National Constitution Day celebrations.
stephen bell enters history & archaeology program in Italy
Alumnus Stephen Bell has been accepted into the Master's program at the University of Pavia in Italy. Bell graduated from the History and Political Science department and the Honors Program in 2019 and entered the U.S. Army as an officer and has continued to serve through the present.
Dr. Jones wins
john william graves award
We would like to congratulate Dr. Kelly Jones, whose book A Weary Land: Slavery on the Ground in Arkansas won the John William Graves Award. The Graves Award was established in 2015 and is presented biennially for the best book-length historical non-fiction study that focuses on any aspect of the history of race relations in Arkansas or of the history of African Americans in Arkansas. The honor includes a prize of $1,000 and a certificate presented at the annual conference of the Arkansas Historical Association. Dr. Jones's book is the first in 60 years to study slavery in Arkansas in this manner. Read more about her book A Weary Land: Slavery on the Ground in Arkansas.