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Illinois State University Department of History News, events, and other info from the Department of History at Illinois State. Go Redbirds!

On October 13th, Dr. Kapoor’s Environmental History class (HIS 332) completed their midterm review on the quad next to I...
10/16/2026

On October 13th, Dr. Kapoor’s Environmental History class (HIS 332) completed their midterm review on the quad next to ISU’s heat plant and Ameren Substation on campus. Students were required to use that backdrop to explore the intertwining of energy, commodification, public health, and (in)visible infrastructures from all of their course materials. It proved to be a very relevant and interesting review from Dr. Kapoor’s students!

The ISU History Department is accepting applications for student ambassadors to our programs! We are looking for enthus...
10/15/2026

The ISU History Department is accepting applications for student ambassadors to our programs! We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated students, preferably sophomores and juniors, eager to talk about their experiences and promote the major. Ambassadors will attend recruitment events sponsored by Admissions and the History department, hold a department showcase for prospective students, and work closely with the Chair, the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and the Director of History Education on events that highlight our department. Students selected will be eligible to receive 3 hours of credit for HIS 291. This would be a semester-long commitment with flexible hours, no more than a few throughout the semester.

If you are interested, please submit a resume, a letter of interest (no more than 250 words), and the names of two faculty members willing to offer an informal recommendation to Dr. Gifford, at [email protected], by October 30th, 2026.

Don’t forget! Registration for the upcoming History Teacher Symposium is now open! In collaboration with ROE #17 and th...
10/15/2026

Don’t forget! Registration for the upcoming History Teacher Symposium is now open! In collaboration with ROE #17 and the McLean County Museum of History, we are proud to provide this free conference to all high school, middle level, and pre-service Social Studies teachers.

In addition, please consider submitting a proposal for an hour long session during the event. Sessions can feature research, teaching strategies, literature reviews, museum resources, expert panels, and more!

Please use the featured QR codes to register or to submit a proposal. The links are also in our bio. As always, the symposium is free for all participants! See you in January!

🗓️ January 29th, 2027
📍 Illinois State University
🔗 Registration link in bio

Last week, students in Dr. VanGorder’s History of Illinois class (HIS 259) visited Evergreen Cemetery in Bloomington. Fo...
10/14/2026

Last week, students in Dr. VanGorder’s History of Illinois class (HIS 259) visited Evergreen Cemetery in Bloomington. For their midterm, students researched a person buried at the cemetery and wrote a eulogy tying that person’s life experience to historical events or themes in Illinois’s story. At the cemetery, they presented their eulogy and placed flowers at the gravesides, honoring their subject.

Amazing and unique work from Dr. VanGorder and her students!

⭐️ Student Teacher Tuesday ⭐️It’s Tuesday, which means we get to showcase another amazing future educator! Anna Hutchiso...
10/13/2026

⭐️ Student Teacher Tuesday ⭐️

It’s Tuesday, which means we get to showcase another amazing future educator! Anna Hutchison is currently student teaching at Rock Falls High School in Rock Falls, IL. She is balancing a full workload of Civics, World History, and AP US History! Anna encourages new teachers to stick to your own deadlines because the grading, planning, and teaching can be very overwhelming to balance. When talking about the rewards of teaching, Anna shared, “Even when it doesn’t feel like it, students notice when you are giving teaching your all and they appreciate it! Be your best even when it gets hard, and you’ll see that reflected in the students. They can tell if you care, and it means so much to them when you do.”

Congrats on a great semester, Anna!

The ISU Department of History, in collaboration with ROE #17 and the McLean County Museum of History, is excited to sha...
10/07/2026

The ISU Department of History, in collaboration with ROE #17 and the McLean County Museum of History, is excited to share that registration for our upcoming History Teacher Symposium is now open! In addition, please consider submitting a proposal for an hour long session during the Symposium. Sessions can include research, teaching strategies, literature reviews, expert panels, and more!

Please use the featured QR codes to register and submit a session proposal. The links are also in our bio. As always, the History Symposium is free to everyone who attends! We hope to see you there!

🗓️ January 29th, 2027
📍 Illinois State University
🔗 Registration link in bio

⭐️ Student Teacher Tuesday ⭐️For this week’s Student Teacher Tuesday, the History Education program is proud to spotligh...
10/06/2026

⭐️ Student Teacher Tuesday ⭐️

For this week’s Student Teacher Tuesday, the History Education program is proud to spotlight Dani Gottlieb, who is currently student teaching at St. Charles North High School! Dani is tackling three complex, unique courses this semester, and she’s doing a great job! She said she misses seeing her cohort everyday (the feeling is mutual, Dani!), but she is enjoying getting to know her students better each day. Dani recommends building relationships early and often, as well as finding a good system to get materials ready for each week in a timely manner.

You’re doing great, Dani! Have a fun semester! 🍎

Happy World Teachers’ Day to all our Redbird History Education alum! We hope you feel loved and supported by your studen...
10/05/2026

Happy World Teachers’ Day to all our Redbird History Education alum! We hope you feel loved and supported by your students, peers, and admin 🍎 your alma mater thinks the world of you ❤️

The ISU Department of History is thrilled to welcome back two alumni educators for our annual Homecoming events! Dr. Meg...
10/05/2026

The ISU Department of History is thrilled to welcome back two alumni educators for our annual Homecoming events! Dr. Meghan Hawkins and Fred Walk are both alumni of the ISU History Department and will return to campus for Homecoming festivities on Friday, October 23rd.

Consider joining these two distinguished alumni at our annual Alumni Panel, which will be held at 2:30 pm in Schroeder 242 on October 23rd. Our guest speakers will share their experiences with history both in and out of the classroom, as well as offer words of advice to our newest Redbird History educators. A Q&A will follow the remarks.

We cannot wait to celebrate ISU’s Homecoming with these wonderful alumni!

Thank you to the combined efforts of the Obama Presidential Center and the ICSS for hosting an incredible event today! W...
10/02/2026

Thank you to the combined efforts of the Obama Presidential Center and the ICSS for hosting an incredible event today! We had many Redbird History alum representing at the full day professional development about civic inquiry at the museum.

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