University of South Dakota History Department

02/24/2026

That is a wrap! Thank you to the many presenters, commentators, and attendees of the 61st Clayton M. Lehmann Student History Conference.

Congratulations to our paper awardees, pictured left to right: Erin Buglewicz (Creighton University), “Fabricated Flames: The Mythologization of Bra Burning” (honorable mention), Logan Yogi (Creighton University), “Saving Tasmania’s Last Wild River: How Film Changed a Continent’s Relationship with Wilderness” (best paper), Elle Swenson (USD), “The Pullman Porters: From the Rail Line to the Civil Rights Movement” (honorable mention).

We enjoyed learning about the diversity of the ancient world with Professor Cassandra Casias's keynote talk on " 'The Punic Aristotle': Augustine of Hippo and Other Africans in teh Roman Empire."

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The 62nd annual conference is scheduled for February 25, 2027.

08/26/2025

Many of you have reached out to me to ask whether we are doing another book club and we are! I am excited to share that this October we will be reading From the Skin: Defending Indigenous Nations Using Theory and Practice, edited by J. Jeffrey Clark and Elise Boxer.

Discussions will be on Thursday Oct. 2, 16, and 23 in East Hall 220 from 4:00-5:00 PM. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Please come to any or all of the session. Everyone is welcome!

J. Jeffrey Clark will be speaking at the Vermillion Writing and Literature Conference October 9-11, 2025 and we want to make sure you’ve had a chance to read his chapter before attending his presentation. Elise Boxer, co-editor, will also be joining the discussions.

08/26/2025

Welcome back, Coyotes! Please mark your calendars for our first event of the year on Wednesday, Sept. 3 from 3-5 PM on the Old Main South Lawn.

03/16/2025

Join the History Club on Tuesday, March 18 for Movie Night in the USD Archives at 5 PM. Reconnect after Spring Break and enjoy some archival films and popcorn.

02/19/2025

The 60th annual Clayton M. Lehmann Student History Conference will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 9-5 in the Muenster University Center. For complete program visit https://sites.google.com/usd.edu/student-history-conference.

11/14/2024

Today, members of the History Department joined Dr. Angela Helmer, family and friends to remember Dr. Clayton Miles Lehmann. The memorial is on Main Street across from the High School. We miss him dearly.

06/28/2024

Law Professor Hannah Haksgaard will be speaking at the Vermillion Public Library on July 10 at 12 p.m. for a Lunch & Learn. Her talk, Unmarried Women in the Homestead Act, will address women’s rights as well as the democratic process during the early Homesteading days. The event is free and a light lunch will be served.
University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law

VERMILLION — Join the Vermillion Public Library for a free presentation on July 10 at 12 p.m. for our Lunch & Learn: Including Unmarried Women in the Homestead Act with

02/15/2024

Join us on Thursday, February 22 for The Clayton M. Lehmann Phi Alpha Theta Student History Conference, now in its 59th year. Panel sessions feature student research from regional institutions. Professor Emeritus Steven Bucklin delivers the Plenary Address at 1:00 in the MUC Ballroom. All are welcome to attend!

11/27/2023

This is a message from Angela Helmer, Clayton Lehmann´s wife:

Dear all,

I would like to thank each and every one of you who sent cards, flowers, texts, emails, or donations, brought food to our home, or attended the celebration of Clayton´s life after his passing. I truly appreciate every hug, every word of encouragement, and all the expressions of support and care. I was overwhelmed by the love shown to Clayton, who was a wonderful man! Thank you!

My special recognition and eternal gratitude to the Department of History at USD, Jen Beermann, Molly Rozum, Elise Boxer, Sara Lampert, David Burrow, Kurt Hackemer, Steve Bucklin, and Judy Sebesta. Elise, your star quilt is amazingly beautiful, and I know the love and care you put into crafting it. Thank you!!! Molly, thank you for giving me strength from the get go, and thank you for presenting the book that Clayton and I wrote! Thank you Kurt for your kind gesture at the hospital and for playing at the celebration; Dave and Steve, thank you for your speeches; Judy and Sara for your words of encouragement. Jen, you are a treasure! There would not have been a celebration of Clayton´s life without you! Thank you for paying attention to every little detail, from reserving a space at such short notice, putting together the program, ordering food, printing the brochure and program, arranging for flowers, pictures, etc. You are a blessing!

I know somewhere Clayton is smiling with gratitude for the love and support shown to him and our family. Thank you!!!

Angela

11/18/2023

UPDATE ON THIS EVENT: The Department of History will host a Celebration of Life for Professor Clayton Lehmann on Tuesday, November 21 at 4 PM in the MUC Ballroom on the USD Vermillion campus. Please join us in sharing memories of Clayton’s life, teaching, scholarship, and many hobbies and interests. All current and former members of the University and Vermillion communities are welcome to attend. Bowties, pirate or Doctor Who-themed ties, and the color green are encouraged. Refreshments will be provided. The event will be live-streamed if possible and a link will be provided later.

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Dear Community, The Department of History will be hosting a memorial for Professor Clayton Lehmann on Tuesday, November 21 at 4 PM in the MUC Ballroom on the USD Vermillion campus. An official university communication will go out on Monday. Please share this with folks who may be interested in attending. We know not everyone will be able to attend, so know that you are welcome to share you memories of Clayton on our page.

11/17/2023

Dear History Community,

It is with deep sorrow that we share the news that Professor Clayton Lehmann of USD's Department of History passed away last night. Arrangements are pending.

Professor Lehmann received his B.S. in comparative literature, history and Greek from Augustana College in 1978; his M.A. in ancient history and classics at the University of Maryland in 1980; and his Ph.D. in history from the University of Chicago in 1986, among other educational and professional development experiences over the course of his career. Professor Lehmann conducted fieldwork in Israel at Caesarea Maritima for decades and taught courses spanning Greek and Roman history, archaeology, epigraphy, language and literature. Having taught at USD for 35 years, Professor Lehmann has impacted the educational journeys of countless students and leaves a notable legacy at USD.

We send our condolences to his wife, Professor Angela Helmer, for her loss.

We understand that each student and community member grieves differently. Students can access mental health resources through the Student Counseling Center. For immediate, 24/7 support, students can call the Coyote Care clinic support line at 833-569-1686. Faculty and staff can view mental health resources on the Faculty and Staff Resources page.

04/12/2023

Congratulations to Dr. Molly P. Rozum, who was awarded a Richard and Sharon Cutler Faculty Award in the Liberal Arts. In her acceptance speech, Dr. Rozum recalled that Rich Cutler was a history major and once told her how much he valued his history major. He felt that history prepared him for success as a lawyer and a liberal arts degree at the BA level provided the best base for life. She said, "Rich and Sharon Cutler understood that full time faculty are the core of the University. They understood that faculty need to have resources to conduct and write thoughtful research and to mentor students and establish the types of relationships undergraduate and graduate students need to succeed. At this particular historical moment, the Humanities and the Liberal Arts generally need more advocates like Richard and Sharon Cutler. The Cutlers’ understanding of academics...and the importance of USD in particular to the cultural health of the state of South Dakota is to be much admired. Thank you to the Cutlers and to the College of Arts & Sciences for this award that underscores the importance of the Liberal Arts to our collective intellectual life."