Henry Wells Lawrence Memorial Lectures
Professor Henry Wells Lawrence chaired the history department from 1920 to 1942, and the Lawrence lectures were established in his memory. A department document described Professor Lawrence as “the embodiment of an ideal, the ideal of the liberal free mind, the mind independent and courageous.”
The foundation charter of the lectures provides for a lecture by “a scholar in the broad field of history who will present his (or hers) subject in the spirit of the liberal tradition to which Dr. Lawrence was devoted.” The series began in 1960.
View a listing of Lawrence lectures since 1960.
Faculty receive research awards
Professor of history and department chair Catherine McNicol Stock received the 2009 John S. King Memorial Teaching Award, established to recognize teacher-scholars with high standards of teaching excellence and concern for students. An expert in the social, cultural and political history of the United States from 1877 to the present, Stock is also director of the American Studies program. Additionally, she has made a major impact in her role as faculty-liaison to the men's ice hockey team, encouraging team members to double major and engage in honors thesis work and senior projects.
Professor Marc Forster was awarded the 2007 Nancy Batson Nisbet Rash faculty research award at the 93rd Convocation in August, 2007. The award is presented annually to a faculty member selected on the basis of outstanding scholarly or artistic accomplishments.
Faculty Presentation
In October, 2007, a presentation, "Just A Word, Just a Symbol: Recent Racist Events on U.S. College Campuses," was given by James Downs, Assistant Professor of History, and David Canton, Assistant Professor of History about the recent racial events which had been occuring on college campuses nationwide. It was co-sponsored by the history department, the Dean of the College Community, the program in American Studies, and the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (CCSRE).
Faculty Appearance on History Channel
Professor Lisa Wilson was featured as a commentator in the History Channel's original documentary, "Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower," presented for the first time on the History Channel on Nov. 19, 2006.
Please consult the Online Calendar of Events for lectures and cultural events sponsored by the department.