Alum Erika Holst talking about her exhibit on clothing, “Fashioning Illinois, 1820-1900.”
This program, which was recorded on July 9, 2020, features a behind-the-scenes preview of the upcoming exhibition "Fashioning Illinois: 1820-1900" at the Ill...
IWU History's cover photo
“Teach for justice, not for privilege.”
Paul Bushnell, Professor Emeritus of History, 1994
The IWU History faculty supports the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests and rallies here and around the world in reaction to the violent and horrific events of the last few weeks. We stand with those who are protesting not only the senseless and violent death of George Floyd, but also the long history of racial and economic inequality. Because historical inquiry is about understanding the myriad ways that ordinary people have changed the world, History gives voice to not only the powerful, but also the powerless. History teaches us that change comes through struggle.
Lonnie Bunch, the Director of the Smithsonian Institution and founding Director of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, recently wrote in response to the current moment:
"Frederick Douglass famously said, 'Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are people who want crops without ploughing the ground… The struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, or it may be both. But it must be a struggle.' At this pivotal moment when the eyes of the nation and the world are upon Minneapolis, will we join the struggle to seek justice and equality? Will we heed the call of courageous figures throughout history who spoke out against slavery, marched on for voting rights, and sat in for basic equality? Will we challenge the nation to live up to its founding ideals? In the memory of those taken from us and for the good of the country, I hope that we do."
We reaffirm here our commitment to these challenges. In history, we read, we watch, we listen. When Paul Bushnell taught one of the first African-American History courses in the country at IWU in 1968, a Peoria journalist asked him if there were enough books on the subject to teach such a course. He calmly replied, “Well, there are several hundred to start.” There are many lists of thousands of excellent books on African-American history and the history of race. We suggest a place to start, as we take on the challenges demanded by this historic moment, is with this excellent digital narrative on the historical foundations of race, part of the new “Talking About Race” portal developed by the National Museum of African-American History and Culture.
https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/historical-foundations-race
The world got along without race for the overwhelming majority of its history. The U.S. has never been without it. DAVID R. ROEDIGER Race is a human-invented, shorthand term used to describe and categorize people into various social groups based on characteristics like skin color, physical features,...
IWU History
McLean County Museum of History
📣Exciting announcement! 📣
We are very proud to announce that the McLean County Museum of History has won an Award of Excellence for our Extending Excellence Campaign! This is the most prestigious national recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history presented by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). Thank you to all of you who contributed to our successful and award-winning campaign!
The importance of the Museum’s new capacities, including installing the new exhibit 'Challenges, Choices, and Change,' expanding the use of digital technology, and extending program delivery in the community, is witnessed in the ability to continue to serve our community during the pandemic. We have moved much of our programming to digital platforms, serving schools and the people of our community alike.
Alum Matthew Cassady, Program Specialist with Minnesota Historical Society. Listen!
http://thewanderingnaturalist.libsyn.com/website/episode-42-the-rivers-that-shape-us-the-mississippi-and-how-geology-shaped-its-use
Matt Cassidy, Program Specialist with Minnesota Historical Society joins us to discuss how the geology of the Mississippi River has shaped the way humans have used the river for the past 10,000 years.
Professor Michael Weis
is leading the London Program next year!
So very proud of alum Erika (Rozinek) Holst, Curator of Decorative Arts at the Illinois State Museum, who is seen in this wonderful video staging photographs for a calendar celebrating her upcoming exhibit, “Fashioning Illinois, 1820-1900.” It opens on March 21, 2020.
To order the calendar:
http://www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/content/illinois-state-museum-society
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qomkgkF3qwI&feature=youtu.be
Fashioning Illinois, 1820-1900, opens March 21, 2020 at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Follow along on the catalog photo shoot for a pre...
We learned today that a dear IWU History alum and educator, Jason Dennis '99, passed away yesterday. I am passing this along from another dear alum and his close friend, Jason Spoor-Harvey:
“I’m not usually one to post things like this in this space, but felt it important to share as my friend, Jason Dennis, meant a lot to a lot of people and many of whom I don’t necessarily know how to contact.
Jason Dennis passed away tonight due to injuries sustained in a car accident last Tuesday. He fought to stay here with us with all his strength but this was a contest he could not win. He passed away peacefully with his Dad, myself, and another friend holding him.
As soon as we know more information about services, we will pass along.”
Rest in peace, Jason. And your thoughts and prayers are with you, Jason Spoor-Harvey
This summer, Professor Michael B. Young retired after 49 years at IWU. At Honors Day in 1981, Young spoke to students about the importance of Liberal Arts in a free society in a talk titled "Another Brick in the Wall?":
“Our goal should be to produce people who can be productive workers and active citizens, but who will not work or vote without thinking, people who are familiar with a broad range of alternatives, who appreciate the complexity of issues, who are equipped with the analytical skills to make an informed choice and a moral conscience that will guide them to the right choice. In response to the we-don’t-need-no- education people, I would answer that it is ignorance, not education of the highest sort, that makes people susceptible to ‘thought control.’”
Dozens of alums - college professors, high school teachers, lawyers, judges, writers, social workers - responded to a call for memories of their time with Professor Young. His impact on three generations of them is inestimable. We will miss him.
History Department, Illinois Wesleyan University
Latest piece by alum Erika (Rozinek) Holst, Curator of Decorative Arts at the Illinois State Museum.
https://illinoistimes.com/article-21437-behind-enemy-lines.html
Feature,Small town boy,Behind enemy lines,Aftermath of the war,Postscrip
IWU History Alums:
Please check your inboxes and spam folders for an e-mail from Illinois Wesleyan University that went out on June 5, 2019. If you have any questions, contact me at [email protected]. April Schultz
Come see IWU students' Summer Research Showcase! Today from 4:00-5:30 pm in Beckman Auditorium, students will present their progress and/or final reports in the disciplines of English, history, Greek and Roman studies, math, psychology, philosophy, business, and astronomy. Be sure to stop by to support Brent Baughan, GRS and History double major! This is an IDES event sponsored by Greek and Roman studies.
“At their best, museums convey history in all its messy complexity, and encourage visitors to ask questions of the past, including how it’s being used to shape the present. Monuments, on the other hand, are blunt-force objects, and frequently discourage nuance, deliberately distorting the past to convey something in the present that may or may not be an outright falsehood. That’s not their fault; it is simply how they’re used.”
https://www.facebook.com/41601539/posts/10100336038498367/
Opinion: Removing statues of controversial historical figures doesn't erase them from history—because recording history simply isn't the function of statues
Mike Weis in Barcelona, Spain, while the rest of us were back in the trenches taking a Department Photo.
History Department, Illinois Wesleyan University's cover photo
History Department, Illinois Wesleyan University
Our First Annual History Fest! Senior Seminar students this year experimented with a variety of multi-modal projects, from traditional research papers to a graphic novel. Please join us as we celebrate their work and a new History Department Pathways to Signature Experience curriculum.
Alum Lindsey Fitzharris was interviewed by the Pantagraph about her award-winning book and her IWU education.
http://www.pantagraph.com/entertainment/books/iwu-grad-sees-through-the-gore-to-tell-medical-stories/article_74c7b693-7002-5e07-8cf2-33221496b113.html
BLOOMINGTON — From a self-described “strange child” who went from cemetery to cemetery with her grandmother “hunting ghosts,” Illinois Wesleyan University graduate Lindsey Fitzharris says she “grew up to be
LMU History Department
Google study shows qualities developed in study of history (& other humanities) are most important for employees: communication, empathy, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, making connections across complex ideas. #StudyHistory
See great news, below, posted by Ed Studies, about our mutual alum in History Secondary Education, John Camardella.
One of our incredible alumni, John Camardella saw a need for a world religion course at his high school. This interest led him to create a wildly popular course at Prospect High School as well as to partner with Harvard's Divinity School and the National Council for Social Studies to develop World Religion standards and curricular resources. John stated in an email to our department, "I couldn't have done this work without my IWU undergrad." Thanks John! We are so proud of you and all the work our alum are doing! Read more in the article below.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/arlington-heights/news/ct-ahp-prospect-harvard-world-religion-studies-tl-1018-20171017-story.html
Alum Lindsey Fitzharris discussing her new book!
Order the book: http://amzn.to/2y6ComD Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_zfe2sYZ4Q 'A brilliant and gripping account of the almost unimagi...
History alum, Lindsay Fitzharris, is embarking on a national book tour for her upcoming work, “The Butchering Art,” to be released internationally on October 17.
Another terrific event sponsored, in part, by History.
History Department, Illinois Wesleyan University's cover photo
Profile Pictures
202 Beecher St.
Bloomington, IL
61701
| Monday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when IWU History posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to IWU History:
Peking University - PKU = 北京大學 京師大學堂
北京市海澱區, PekinLoyola University Public Health Association
2160 S 1st Ave, MaywoodHollins University Spanish Department
Turner Hall, Hollins University, RoanokeThe Arkansas Grand Lecture’s Trestleboard
712 Scott St, Little Rock
IWU Office of Diversity and Inclusion
300 E Beecher St
IWU Office of Residential Life
Gulick Hall - Northwest entrance
Illinois Wesleyan University-Colleges Against
1312 Park St