Professor Barbara Ransby's new book, "Eslanda: The Large and Unconventional Life of Mrs. Paul Robeson," has been getting a lot of media attention. She appeared on "Democracy Now!" and she will appear on MSNBC's "Melissa Harris-Perry" program.
Professors Robert Johnston and Kevin M. Schultz have both been recognized for their outstanding instructional performance by UIC's Council for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The Council selected 14 out of UICs 383 faculty members for recognition this year, and the Department is delighted to have two of them.
Leon Fink, UIC Distinguished Professor of History, has just been named Researcher of the Year in the Humanities at UIC. The Researcher of the Year Awards recognize the efforts and commitment of researchers who have demonstrated outstanding research achievements to advance the knowledge in their field of expertise. There is one award given in the field of Humanities each year. Congratulations Leon!
Jim Searing, Professor of History at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he taught since 1992, died unexpectedly on December 3. Searing, who specialized in African History and served as Chair of the UIC Department of History from 2005-2010, will be missed greatly for his sense of humor, his deep intellect, and his commitment to the Department and the University. Professor Searing is survived by his wife Patricia Hickling and three children, and will be missed by all who knew him.
On Nov. 2, Prof. Burt Bledstein investigated the way in which Jane Addams imagined Chicago in her effort to make progressive reforms. Part of the Department's "History's Mysteries" series, the talk was attended by nearly 100 people. Click the title to learn about the Department's next "Mystery" event. All talks are free and open to the public.
On Tuesday, April 10th, UIC proudly hosted the Chicago History Fair Metro Finals, featuring students from Bronzeville Scholastic Institute (BSI), a small school housed within historic DuSable High School on Chicago's south side. The next day, all 11 student-presenters became Illinois State History Expo Finalists. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Professor Deirdre McCloskey, who is set to receive four honorary degrees from prestigious institutions around the world. The Copenhagen Business School, the Universidad Francisco Marroquin (Guatemala), Southern Illinois University, and Johkoping University (Sweden) all plan to honor McCloskey in the upcoming year.
At the April 11 Osofsky Lecture, Assistant Professor Corey Capers won the Shirley Bill Award for Excellence in Teaching, Stephanie Yau won the Goodman Award for Distinction in Undergraduate Studies, and Jennifer Warner won the Edinger Prize, achievement among History majors.
On April 13, Associate Professor Ellen McClure will lecture about the famous playwright Moliere and a case of royal blackmail in the court of King Louis XIV. Part of the "History's Mysteries Series," the lecture begins at 7pm at UIC's Institute for the Humanities. For more information, email: lindavp@uic.edu.
Yale's James C. Scott will be this year's Gilbert Osofsky Lecturer. Scott's lecture, entitled "Two Cheers for Anarchy," will take place on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 2:00 pm in Student Center East, room 302, and be followed by a reception. For more information, contact lindavp@uic.edu.