Colorado Mesa University’s second annual History Week, started last year by Britney Hayes, will take place Feb. 4-8, presented by Phi Alpha Theta, CMU’s chapter of the historical honor society.
Each evening of the week, from 6-8 p.m., a professor will give a presentation relevant to the event. Many of these professors are published, according to President of Phi Alpha Theta Jeff Baker.
“Some people don’t realize what our history professors are doing in their off time, some of the great impacts they’re making in the area,” Baker said. “The biggest thing about this is to bring attention to the history department [to let] people know that there’s a lot of things you can do with a history degree as well.”
According to Baker, Dr. Adam Rosenbaum writes travel books for touring Europe, while Dr. Timothy Winegard has multiple published books, in addition to Dr. Steven Schulte and Dr. Erika Jackson. Baker said that History Week will be a bigger deal than last year, partly because it won’t be close to finals.
Assistant Professor of Archaeology Dr. John Seebach will also give a presentation on the Teller Institute (formerly the Teller Indian School), currently the location of the veteran cemetery, a location where Indians were forcibly immersed in Western Civilization.
“When you look at history you have to think, history’s more than just memorizing dates,” Baker said. “It’s understanding the impact on today’s world as well and it should make a person think of what’s good or bad, right or wrong in the world in the past and the present.”
Starting on Monday, Feb. 4, Rosenbaum will take the first day’s 6-8 p.m. presentation spot. Schulte will present on Tuesday, Winegard on Wednesday, Jackson and Dr. Sarah Swedberg on Thursday and Seebach on Friday.
