Honors and Awards

This week students and faculty in History and Political Science received several honors for academic excellence, leadership, and service.  

The most important award was the Edward and Louaine Taylor Award for Excellence in Teaching, which was given to Dr. John Moser.  Dr. Moser gave a fine address titled "The Power of Play" at the Academic Honors Convocation. He is the second member of the department to receive the Taylor Award after Dr. Chris Burkett, who won it in 2011. 

In addition, three students were honored for overall academic excellence:  The Sophomore award went to Jackson Yenor; the Junior Award to Joshua Frey; and the Senior Award to James Coyne. 

The department also made a strong showing at the Leadership and Service Awards ceremony: 

Chris Burkett was a nominee for the Dr. Donald Rinehart Honor and Integrity award;

Chris Burkett, René Paddags, and Jeff Sikkenga were three of seven nominees for the Outstanding Male Faculty Member of the Year award;

Emily Hess was nominated for the Outstanding Female Faculty Member of the Year award;

Sara Garska was nominated for Outstanding Female Staff Member of the Year award;

Ian Kieffer won Outstanding Male Undergraduate of the Year award.  

Among history, political science, and Integrated Social Studies majors nominated for various other leadership and service awards (sometimes more than one) is this impressive group: Samantha Eron, Matt Rhyand, Caroline Toth, Nathaniel Urban, Lucas Trott, Tara Marasco, Audrey Bontempo, and Ben Bilimek. 

Finally, at a ceremony for student athletes, where the athlete in each sport with the best academic record was honored, several recognized faculty in History and Political Science for their impact: 

Emily Hess was recognized by Ali Cudworth (Volleyball)

Chris Burkett was recognized by Zach Papay (outdoor track) and David Knack (cross country). 

Congratulations to all of the above!  What a great contribution you all make to the life of the department and the university. 

Three Centuries of American Prints

Joseph Phelan has written a great review of a wonderful exhibition of American prints at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.  He brings out nicely how prints both reflect and comment upon American history and government.  The review is printed in TheInTowner (April 2016), starting on page 6.  More information at the National Gallery of Art.

Visit Israel?

The President of AU has announced a Tour to Israel, to take place from July 30-August 10, 2016.  The cost will be approximately $1,000, which includes airfare, hotels, meals, and local transportation - in other words, pretty much everything except souvenirs, a great deal.  This is a chance for History and Political Science majors to visit key biblical sites, get a first-hand perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and visit the only flourishing democracy in the Middle East. 

Two information meetings will be held: Monday, April 11 at 4pm in the Lower Chapel; and Tuesday, April 12 at 5pm in the HCSC Auditorium. 

New Edition of Forum Published

The new edition of "The Forum Book Review," a book review composed and edited entirely by students, has just been published.  Volume 4 was edited by Joey Barretta and Meagan Kemmerer, both History and Political Science double majors.  If you'd like a copy, ask Joey or Meagan.  Nearby are photos of the cover and of the Table of Contents.

First Heritage Lecture at AU

The Office of Christian Ministry and the College of Arts and Sciences has scheduled the inaugural Heritage Lecture at Ashland University on Thursday, April 28 at 4:00pm in the Heritage Room in Upper Convo.

The Heritage Lecture series has been created to annually bring a scholar from the Brethren-Anabaptist tradition to campus to share a topic of relevance with our community. The idea is to articulate a Brethren understanding of the word "Christian" and to consider the original vision of Ashland College.

The lecture, titled "A College Set on a Hill: The Early History and Vision of Ashland College/University," will be given by Dale Stoffer, Professor of Historical Theology at Ashland Seminary. He will be sharing an overview of the history of the college during its challenging early years and its significant progress by the 1930s. He will then focus on the college's original vision and consider what Ashland's founding ethos means for us today.

Prof. John Moser Wins 2016 Taylor Teaching Award

The University announced on Friday that Dr. John Moser, a Professor of History, is the recipient of this year's Taylor Teaching Award, the highest award given at Ashland University for excellence in teaching.  The Department congratulates Dr. Moser on this well deserved honor and invites every one to the Honors Convocation at 2pm on April 24th, where he will receive his medallion and give an address on the subject of teaching.