Last year was a banner year for the History Honors Program. Twenty-four students undertook honors theses, with topics ranging from witchcraft trials in 1600s Latin American colonies to the historical development of hip hop in the United States of the late twentieth century. Under the guidance of their faculty mentors and honors coordinator and Assistant Professor Sandy Chang, these students spent a year researching, writing, and revising until they had a forty-to-fifty-page thesis. “Writing a thesis is difficult and time-consuming,” explained honors student Kaitlyn Stroud, but encouraged other students to take on the challenge. “You are more capable than you think, and you will be grateful for the experience in the end.”
Our department celebrated these thesis writers on April 16, 2023, at the Annual History Honors Conference at Smathers Library. Over a hundred family members, friends, and mentors came to hear research presentations and take part in the department awards banquet. “The conference was a day of celebration, recognizing the students who have worked so hard and all the people – faculty mentors, family, and friends – who have helped them along the way,” said Professor Chang. “Through it all, they have inspired and uplifted each other, and developed an incredible scholarly camaraderie and lifelong friendships.”
This year the honors program again attracted a large number of students. Associate Professor Sheryl Kroen will guide 21 honors students through the journey of writing a thesis. We look forward to seeing the products of their work in the spring!
