History forms Community Board
On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, the newly-formed History Community Board met for the first time. Made up of ten individuals with ties to the History Section of Eastern Michigan University, the History Community Board seeks to find new ways to connect alumni and friends, and to support EMU History students.
Given the exigencies of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the first meeting of the History Community Board took place over Zoom. In the space of an hour, members introduced themselves, learned about the current state of EMU’s History programs, and brainstormed ideas for future events.
The Board discussed ways in which the History Section could reach alumni and friends through social media as well as the US mail. Members also suggested the events such as virtual tours and outdoor events could bring people to campus.
A pervasive theme throughout the meeting was involving alumni to help current EMU students. Alumni videos could inform students about how a History degree helped them to achieve their career goals. Alumni might also play a role in mentoring History students pursue graduate degrees or find employment.
The History Community Board currently consists of ten alumni, faculty, and friends of the EMU History Section. They are:
- Ms. Michele Anderson, Social Studies Teacher, John Glenn High School
- Dr. Kathleen Chamberlain—Emerita Professor of History, EMU
- Ms. Kelly Haas, Social Studies Department Head, Huron Valley Schools
- Maj. Gen. William Henderson (Ret.)
- Dr. Peter Higgins, Department Head, History and Philosophy, EMU
- Dr. John G. McCurdy, Professor of History and Graduate Coordinator, EMU
- Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, Associate Professor of History and Section Chair, EMU
- Hon. Daniel S. Opperman, Chief Judge of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- Ms. Roxanne Reinhardt, Law Student, George Washington University
- Dr. David Walton, Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Global Black Studies Program, Western Carolina University
The current membership is consistent with the History Community Board’s mandate that it represent the History Section’s diversity of race, gender, age, employment, and experience.
The next meeting of the History Community Board will take place in March 2022.
The History Community Board invites suggestions for future events and ideas for connecting alumni and friends to the EMU History Section. Please contact John McCurdy at [email protected] for more information.