Peregrine Palimpsests: Upcoming Blake lecture in the history of Christianity
March 18, 2021
Join us March 18 for the 2021 Blake lecture in the history of Christianity titled "Peregrine Palimpsests: Medical-religious border crossing in the lives and luggage of three migrant monks" featuring Susan R. Holman; John R. Eckrich Chair and Professor of Religion and the Healing Arts, Valparaiso University. Registration coming soon!
Alum's art projections transform the Lee monument — and land the cover of National Geographic
December 14, 2020
In an interview with VCU News, history graduate Alex Criqui discusses the work he and artist Dustin Klein have put into Reclaiming the Monument — a project they hope brings people together.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Richard "Elliot" Martin
November 16, 2020
Richard "Elliot" Martin is a history major with a creative writing minor at VCU. Elliot is the recipient of an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) fellowship in which he is researching the use of music to combat trauma in Civil War soldiers. Sianna Westley, a junior in VCUarts and student worker for the Department of History, reached out to Elliot to ask him about his UROP fellowship and the challenges of being a student and doing research during a pandemic.
Virtual History Course Fair
October 21, 2020
History majors, minors, and those who are interested in learning history, we invite you to visit the virtual course fair website. Each of the course categories have links to a slide show with course descriptions and all the information you need prior to registration.
Protests, Monuments, and Healing the Wounds of Racism
November 4, 2020
Professor Michael Dickinson writes "2020 has been a challenging year, but for African Americans, in many ways it has been much of the same---another year populated with news reports and videos of racial violence. However, the tragic murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery did spark widespread protests and outrage across the country including in Richmond." Read more in “Protests, Monuments, and Healing the Wounds of Racism."
VCU History: A Resilient Learning Community
November 12, 2020
Professor Leigh Ann Craig writes about the challenges posed by COVID-19, and how, with the resiliency, we have found ways to carry on with minimal interruption. She writes, "As Director of Undergraduate Studies, I have been fortunate to watch the VCU History community rise to these challenges with remarkable grace." Read more in "VCU History: A Resilient Learning Community."
Revolutionary America's Quest for a Russian Ally: Society of the Cincinnati Annual Lecture
October 27, 2020
On October 27 we heard from our own Professor George Munro at the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia Annual Lecture titled Revolutionary America's Quest for a Russian Ally. In case you missed it, the recording is available.
The Graveyard Shift
November 10, 2020
Few students sign up for a history class with the idea of ending up in a cemetery. But for the past ten years, Professor Ryan Smith has taught courses where the students do just that.
Historical Connections and National Dignity: Reflections on Latinx Heritage Month
October 8, 2020
Professor G. Antonio Espinoza provides his reflections of what Latinx Heritage Month means to him. Espinoza is an associate professor of history specializing in the intersection of politics, society, and education in Modern Latin America
New book by former VCU president, history professor tells four-decade history of the university
October 9, 2020
In “Fulfilling the Promise: Virginia Commonwealth University and the City of Richmond, 1968–2009,” VCU President Emeritus and University Distinguished Professor Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., and Associate Professor of History Emeritus John T. Kneebone, Ph.D., tell the story of VCU from its founding in 1968 through the end of Trani’s tenure as president in 2009, and the university’s role in Richmond.
Hiding in Plain Sight: Second Annual Greer Lecture
October 6, 2020
On October 6 we were pleased to hear from Erika Denise Edwards, associate professor of Latin American History at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, at the Second Annual Harold and Laura Greer Lecture titled Hiding in Plain Sight: Black Women and the Making of a White Nation. In case you missed it, the recording is available.
Preserving Cultural Heritage: The history behind Hispanic Heritage Month
September 30, 2020
Daniel Morales provides some insight into the history of Hispanic Heritage Month. Morales is an assistant professor of history specializing in public history, Latinx history, immigration, and United States history.
Meet alumnus Marc Noble
September 21, 2020
VCU Department of History alumnus Marc Noble (BA ‘72/H&S) generously established the Marc Noble Scholarship in the History of Technology award in 2013. As a student, Marc recalls the frustrations of navigating financial aid, student loans and tuition payments while balancing schoolwork and a job in a bustling metropolitan city.
“I know all too well what it feels like to be a struggling student, trying to balance working to pay for school and hours spent studying.”
Silver Veins, Dusty Lungs
July 7, 2020
Professor Rocio Gomez’s latest book, Silver Veins, Dusty Lungs has been published by University of Nebraska Press. In the book, Professor Gomez illustrates that the human body and the environment are not separate entities but rather in a state of constant interaction.
Confronting the Memorial Landscape
June 24, 2020
History professors Michael Dickinson, Emilie Raymond, and Ryan Smith note that we are “witnessing a watershed moment in the history of Virginia’s commemorative landscape.” Read what they have to say about the historian’s role of informing and contextualizing “discussions about memorialization, Richmond history, and racial oppression.”
Virginia’s recognition of Juneteenth a ‘step in the right direction,’ VCU history professor says
June 18, 2020
Professor Michael Dickinson says the holiday’s recognition by Virginia is a step in the right direction and should signal increased efforts to address the nation’s legacy of racial inequality.
Black Realities and White Statues
June 18, 2020
Professor Michael L. Dickinson shares Black Realities and White Statues: The Fall of Confederate Monuments - featured in Black Perspectives by the African American Intellectual History Society.
Removal of Aunt Jemima brand is ‘long overdue,’ VCU history professor says
June 17, 2020
With news breaking about the discontinuation of the Aunt Jemima brand, Professor Gregory Smithers provides his expertise on the history of the brand, and why its removal is long overdue.
History Diversity and Inclusion statement
June 15, 2020
We, the VCU History Department, support the efforts of our students, the university, and the community to root out the systemic racism present in our nation both in the past and in the present.
Rumors of War Arrives in the South
May 26, 2020
Artist Kehinde Wiley’s "Rumors of War" at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts "viscerally bridges past and present while pointing a challenging way forward," writes professor Ryan Smith in the American Association of History article, Rumors of War Arrives in the South.
Alumnus honors memorable faculty heroine with memorial scholarship
April 24, 2020
Alumnus Fred Wayne recently established the Dr. Ruth Douglas See Scholarship to support students who, like Dr. See, have an academic interest in or work on issues of social and economic justice.