For Thomas Profit (’27 history, education), studying history is not just about the monumental happenings. It’s about uncovering the roots of these events, discovering the forces that shaped them, and listening to the people who lived through them. “Discovering why something happens, and the context leading up to where we are today, is something I … Continue reading Uncovering the stories
A curiosity that began with video games has become a passion for Thomas Petersen (’27 history). His introduction to history was through games like Rome: Total War, a turn-based and real-time battle simulation strategy game, and Sid Meier’s Civilization series. He was intrigued by the roots of these civilizations and the forces that worked to … Continue reading From gamer to historian
A high school history teacher and the musical “Hamilton” set Grace Zarley (’26 history) on the path toward her dream job – becoming a museum curator. “That is my Plan A,” Zarley said. “My long-term goal is to get to Washington, D.C., to work there one day. It’s the hub of history.” Zarley’s high school … Continue reading Curating her future
THIS is what college is all about — find YOUR thing! In this case, History professor Dr. John Monroe joined the Philosophy Club, an undergrad organization at Iowa State, to talk about the historical context and main points of Jean-Paul Sartre’s Existentialism at its February meeting. Attendees chatted about what Dr. Monroe called “the high … Continue reading Find YOUR thing
Come hear YOUR HISTORIAN ISU History Professor Dr. Pamela Riney-Kehrberg talk about Iowa’s 1980s Farm Crisis. Her talk, “Dear Governor Branstad: Iowans Confront the Farm Crisis of the 1980s,” will be tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 18) at 7:00 pm at the Ames History Museum (416 Douglas Ave). It’s free (and in the museum’s beautiful new space).
Students! Come have a donut and an informal chat with the DUST (the Director of Undergraduate Studies), Dr. Stacy Cordery, about whatever’s on your mind: summer internships, resumes, classes, careers, better studying techniques, how to ask for a letter of recommendation, etc.
The Fall 2024 Research Grant was awarded to Michael D. Bailey, Distinguished Professor in the Department of History. Bailey’s project will explore the contested association of witchcraft with women in medieval Europe in the 15th century. While the association of witchcraft with women is age-old, new stereotypes of witchcraft emerged in legal, theological, and literary … Continue reading Michael Bailey received a Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities grant
Layk Nollen, who just graduated in December 2024 with his History major, took advantage of an unusual opportunity to do some “concrete” work in his chosen field of Public History–and it turned out to have an unexpected connection to his past! For Fall ’24, Nollen was an intern for ISU’s Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering … Continue reading Layk Nollen (’24), discovered a link to his family during an internship
Prof. Pamela Riney-Kehrberg’s class America Eats created a class cookbook this semester. The assignment was to submit a recipe, and its backstory, to be shared. Students submitted a wide variety of recipes, some self-created, and some from great grandmothers, grandmothers, fathers, and other family members. It was an opportunity to share their favorite foods, and … Continue reading History 3670 Class Cookbook
Without understanding our past, how can we hope to make sense of the present, let alone try to imagine the future? Studying History at Iowa State University brings benefits and rewards both personal and professional. History is a subject we can read and love long after graduation. The amazing variety of historical topics, the joy … Continue reading Why History? Why Now?