DEPARTMENT NEWS: History Does It Again!

The History Department is pleased to announce that Alpha Mu Gamma, Chapman University’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honors Society, has won the best chapter award in Division 2 (programs without graduate studies) for the fourth year in row. This honor recognizes the outstanding achievements of the student-led organization including an oral history project of Chapman University’s rise to prominence (now available on-line at http://journals.chapman.edu/ojs/index.php/VocesNovae/issue/view/15) which included a student-made video describing the project. The chapter also hosted the southern regional PAT conference where keynote speaker Kevin Starr, the renowned historian of California, received an honorary degree and Chapman students Kirsten Moore (’11) and Chelsea Judy (’11) won first and third prize, respectfully, in the undergraduate research paper competition.

View photos from that conference here ...

COLLEGE NEWS: The 150th Anniversary Oral History Issue of Voces Novae

Preserving Our Stories: The 150^th Anniversary Oral History Issue of Voces Novae: Chapman University Historical Review is now on-line

This year marks the 150^th Anniversary of Chapman University, and the students of the Alpha Mu Gamma (Chapman’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, The National History Honor Society in Wilkinson College) decided to commemorate this milestone in a special issue of Voces Novae: Chapman University Historical Review with a compilation of oral histories. Students videotaped interviews with some of the notable people from Chapman's past and present, tracing the University's rise from a small religious college in northern California to a nationally recognized institution of higher learning located in Orange, California. 

Check out this special issue on-line now!  

"A Rise to Prominence," a video put together by the students and the people at Panther Studios, shows the process that students used to construct this project. It not only highlights their experiences with new technology and historical methods, but also demonstrates the benefits of using technology for historical research. The Alpha Mu Gamma chapter previewed it at the 2011 Phi Alpha Theta Southern California Regional Conference, introducing this project to both the Chapman University community and the larger Phi Alpha Theta community. The issue also includes an interactive web-based timeline of Chapman history.

The student historians sought to preserve the memories of those who made the Chapman community what it is today. While these people may come and go from our lives, they live on through the people who continue to benefit from their hard work. Hopefully, in capturing their stories on video, their faces and voices with stay with us and with future generations.

STUDENT NEWS: PAT President Wins Award

Phi Alpha Theta president, Kirsten Moore (pictured left), has received the Tenaya Hills Outstanding Senior Thesis Project Award.

Each year one outstanding member of PAT receives the Tenaya Hills award for their research efforts. 

Congrats Kirsten!

DEPARTMENT NEWS: Phi Alpha Theta Food Drive

Phi Alpha Theta is hosting a canned food drive all this week. All students, staff and faculty are encourage to participate.

You can bring cans to Roosevelt Hall, Room 200 until Friday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. Cans are being donated to the Orange County Food Bank.