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History News
UNIVERSITY OF
SOUTH ALABAMA
S P R I N G , 2 0 2 1
Mahan Lecture Enlightens Remotely
The History Department’s in the Quran was understood to stage of Islam, such as the idea of
nineteenth annual Howard F. be religious only and did not the Khalifat Allah or “deputy of
Mahan Lecture took place re- extend to political rule. “Not a God,” were expressly limited to
motely on March 24. Dr. Asma religious affairs and contained no
Afsaruddin of Indiana University political connotation. “Political
addressed a large Zoom audience administration was a worldly,
on “Arguing the Caliphate: A pragmatic matter,” Dr. Afsarud-
Critique of the Views of ISIS.” din said, discounting the notion
Dr. Afsaruddin’s talk evaluated of religious involvement in it.
the scriptural basis for the claim The upshot of Dr. Afsarud-
made by ISIS (a.k.a. Islamic din’s findings was that ample
State) that its so-called caliphate distinction between religion and
represented a legitimate combi- state has existed throughout Is-
nation of religious and temporal lamic history, despite some
power. Western academics’ (and Islam-
According to Dr. Afsarud- ists’) pronouncements to the
Dr. Asma Afsaruddin
din, ISIS based its claim on a contrary. This year’s talk, though
Quranic verse (2:124) in which unconventional in format, met
God supposedly conferred upon whiff of political authority,” she the highest ideals of the Mahan
Abraham a combined religious concluded, “was attached to Lecture in providing a public
and political leadership status Abraham’s leadership in reli- forum for the discussion of
(imama). Deconstructing this gious matters.” In fact, many groundbreaking historical in-
assertion, Dr. Afsaruddin argued conceptions of leadership that quiry.
that Abraham’s role as specified crystalized during the formative
Special Report: Award-Winning Efforts in Challenging Times
One of the more regrettable As a partial remedy, we are Although it’s not as exciting
results of the coronavirus pan- using the balance of this newslet- as an in-person ceremony, we hope
demic has been the cancellation ter to recognize these students. it’s the next best way to celebrate
of two annual award ceremonies, their achievements and get to know
which in ordinary times are spe- them.
cial opportunities for History Therefore, let’s now hear from
students to be recognized for our award winners, as they sum up
their hard work and studious what their History educations have
attitudes. All of us in the History meant to them and reveal their
Department are especially sorry aspirations for the future. We are
that our excellent students have glad to have had these learners in
been denied this meaningful ex- our classes for the past few years
perience for two consecutive and wish them all the very best.
years.
PAGE 2 2019-2020 AWARD WINNERS
Richard Whiting (Montgomery Carlton Stallworth Scholarship)
A native of Mobile, Rich- tool for discussing or writing After graduation, Mr.
ard Whiting reports to have about the past.” Rather, it can Whiting has his eyes on the
been most inspired by Dr. be “wielded to determine the Peace Corps and a career in
McKiven’s classes on Southern course of the future, to inform public policy.
history. Consequently, Mr. our role in the present.” Not- As Mr. Whiting con-
Whiting became an “obsessed” ing that many courses in the cludes, “When it comes to the
history major with a “passion Department helped him mas- policy and movements that
for historiography and the ter the technical aspects of guide the very forces of hu-
materialist forces that deter- historical research, he feels manity at the collective and
mine the course of society's especially grateful to Dr. Ur- individual level, the most valu-
past.” ban, who “taught me an in- able forms of analysis are
Mr. Whiting sees history credible amount and sharp- found in the historical disci-
as “more than just an analytical ened my ability to write.” plines.”
Kenneth D. Sims, Jr. (Macy Wims Reid Scholarship)
Mobilian Kenneth Sims reer in medicine, I understand Mr. Sims quotes Albert Ein-
has been getting the most out that while studying history I stein — “The value of an educa-
of Dr. Urban’s classes on med- have to take command of my tion is not the learning of many
ical history, not least because own mind as I read, discuss, facts but the training of the mind
he plans to obtain an MA in write, and question events and to think” — and he emphasizes
biomedical science after gradu- ideas that came from the past, that the most important lesson
ation, before proceeding to and I know that I’m building a he’s learned as a history student is
medical school. So why isn’t strong foundation for critical “how to evaluate and interpret
Mr. Sims focusing on science thinking and reasoning that information.” In today’s infor-
as an undergraduate? Because will help me in the future as a mation age, these words ring truer
he’s a believer in the liberal physician when it’s time to than ever.
arts. evaluate patients and take the Mr. Sims’ long-term goal is
As Mr. Sims explains, best course of action possible to become an interventional cardi-
“Although I’m pursuing a ca- for the patient’s treatment.” ologist.
Rebecca Ardrey (Robert L. Brunhouse Award for Outstanding History Graduate Student)
Hailing all the way from philosophical about history in Ms. Ardrey currently re-
Munith, Michigan, Rebecca general: “Just be- sides in Ann Arbor and works
Ardrey has been inspired by all cause ‘historians’ spend their for Old National Bank, where
her history coursework but time in the past, doesn’t mean she recently won a “One Vi-
gives pride of place to Dr. that history isn’t happening all sion Award” for a community
Brazy’s directed studies on around us. We are all students initiative she directed. “No, I
Twentieth Century Women’s and participants in history, and am not using my History MA
History. if I have learned anything, per- in the expected way,” Ms.
Describing her Master’s spective and diversity in the Ardrey says, “but I use the
degree as a personal “Everest,” narrative is critical.” lessons that I learned in my
Ms. Ardrey waxes even more studies every day.”
HISTORY NEWS
2020-2021 AWARD WINNERS PAGE 3
Daniel Kalmar (Montgomery Carlton Stallworth Scholarship)
Kennedy Reese (Minnie Lee Wilkins Stallworth Scholarship)
An arrival from Chicago, Dan- through a variety of information “what ifs.” As she explains, “I love
iel Kalmar has enjoyed Dr. Urban’s and drawing rational conclusions learning and imaging the possibili-
class on immigration and Dr. Lom- based on solid evidence is a mental ties: If small nuances occurred or
bardo’s on the Sixties. He became a process that I will carry with me for did not occur, the world could be
history major “in order to better the rest of my life.” completely different.” Above all,
understand the complex challeng- Coming to South from Madi- though, Ms. Reese is driven by curi-
es that society faces today.” As Mr. son, Alabama, Kennedy Reese was osity. “I enjoy learning about new
Kalmar sees it, “the ability to place also intrigued by a course taught by things and imparting this knowledge
current day events into the proper Dr. Lombardo, one on the Seven- to my peers, as I believe knowledge
historical context is paramount to ties. In fact, Ms. Reese’s interest in and curiosity make life all the more
having informed discussions about history is longstanding. “From a interesting.”
solutions and progress.” young age I loved learning about Ms. Reese wants to move to
Mr. Kalmar aspires to teach the past, and how consequences and Chicago to pursue a Ed.D. in educa-
history at the middle or high school actions in the past have influenced tional administration and leadership.
level. Whatever he undertakes, he and shaped society today.” She hopes one day to become a high
will value the process of critical Ms. Reese’s view of history school principal or college dean.
thinking. As he asserts, “Sorting contains an appreciation for its
Abigayle Edler (Howard F. Mahan Award for Outstanding Graduating History Major)
A resident of Gulf Shores be- most keenly attuned to the narrative leads, like a detective. Building a
fore coming to South, Abigayle quality of history. “I loved the won- practical foundation underneath the
Edler has been most interested in derful stories that history told, and I castles of her memories, Ms. Edler
European history classes taught by wanted to learn more. I chose to reports that “One of the most im-
Drs. Meola, Messenger, and Cage. study history to follow my child- portant lessons I have learned as a
There’s a reason for her fascination: hood fascination.” history major is that you should use
“I spent some of my childhood in As much as Ms. Edler is capti- footnotes and bibliographies to find
Europe surrounded by castles, old vated by a good story, she has additional sources.”
cathedrals, ruins, and other historic learned here at South that an ab- Ms. Edler plans to put this
sites. Those places and the stories sorbing yarn is only as good as its passion and practical skill to work
they told captured my imagination.” sources. To track them down, a in a MA program in European his-
Accordingly, Ms. Edler is skilled historian must develop tory.
Travis Cummins (Robert L. Brunhouse Award for Outstanding History Graduate Student)
An Anaheim, California native, Mr. Cummins values history as Mr. Cummins rates critical
Travis Cummins attended South as an “a weapon against white supremacy, thinking in the analysis of primary
undergraduate and became hooked on capitalism, and other forms of op- sources as the most important thing
history by Drs. Urban and Lombardo pression that plague our society to- he’s learned in our MA program.
and their classes on Latin American day.” As he elaborates, “Exploring Upon completion, he may pursue a
and urban history. Wishing to contin- the past enables us to see what Master of Library and Information
ue his studies, Mr. Cummins em- worked for previous generations of Science degree, with the goal of
barked on our graduate program, activists, encourages us as we cele- becoming an academic archivist.
where his favorite course so far has brate victories and heroes that the Summarizing the value of histo-
been Dr. Brazy’s class on African- ruling class would like us to forget, ry, Mr. Cummins quotes Malcolm X:
American women. and enlightens us on the evolution of “Of all our studies, history is best
the structures we seek to change.” qualified to reward our research.”
Full List of Award Winners, 2019–20 and 2020–21
E. LEWIS B. CURTIS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SCHOLARSHIP RICHARD M. MEIKLE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING JUNIOR
HISTORY MAJOR
2020–21 Winners: Charles (Austin) Bond, Patricia Massey, Tia
(Tianna) Nickens, Nicholas Peckey, Chanlar Quinn 2020–21 Winner: Jon Gutknecht
2019–20 Winners: Ashely Arreola, Travis Cummins, Hadley Di- 2019–20 Winner: John Lightsey
Forti, Shannon Lundgren, Courtney Tittle
CLARENCE MOHR PRIZE FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
W. ROBERT HOUSTON MILITARY HISTORY AWARD 2020–21 Winners: Liam Hodges, Benjamin Morris
2020–21 Winner: Matthew Lombard 2019–20 Winners: Richard Whiting, Josh Crowley
2019–20 Winner: Nathan Appling
STEPHANIE HARDIN PRIZE FOR GRADUATE RESEARCH
ROD HICKMAN SERVICE AWARD 2019–20 Winner: Victoria Watson
2020–21 Winner: Skyler Oliveira-Khan
MACY WIMS REID SCHOLARSHIP
2019–20 Winner: Simeon Barbour
2020–21 Winner: Michael Young
COLONIAL DAMES AWARD 2019–20 Winner: Kenneth Sims
2020–21 Winner: Kristen Katsoff
STALLWORTH SCHOLARSHIPS
2019–20 Winner: Liam Hodges
The Stallworths were the parents of N. Jack Stallworth who
ROBERT L. BRUNHOUSE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING HISTORY provided the funding, through the USA Foundation, for two
GRADUATE STUDENT scholarships and the N. Jack Stallworth Lecture in Southern
2020–21 Winner: Travis Cummins History.
2019–20 Winner: Rebecca Ardrey MONTGOMERY CARLTON STALLWORTH SCHOLARSHIP
HOWARD F. MAHAN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING GRADUAT- 2020–21 Winner: Daniel Kalmar
ING HISTORY MAJOR 2019–20 Winner: Richard Whiting
2020–21 Winner: Abigayle Edler MINNIE LEE WILKINS STALLWORTH SCHOLARSHIP
2019–20 Winner: Candace Pickering 2020–21 Winner: Kennedy Reese
2019–20 Winner: Abigayle Edler
The USA History Department offers a wide variety
of exciting courses, covering the histories of Eastern
and Western Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin
America, as well as the history of the United States
and the South. Faculty are committed to teaching
research and writing skills and the critical thinking
that is becoming ever more necessary for survival in
the information age. Now, more than ever, a history
University of South Alabama
Department of History education is a prerequisite for an informed global
5991 USA Drive N., Room 344 citizenry.
Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002
Please visit us online or in person and see what His-
Phone: (251) 460-6210
Fax: (251) 460-6750 tory has to offer!
E-mail: history@southalabama.edu
http://
www.southalabama.edu/
colleges/artsandsci/history/
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