Alumni News

We are constantly looking for news about graduates from the History programs at Eastern Michigan University. If you have news about your life, career, or anything else that you’d like to share, please send it to John McCurdy at [email protected]. 

Sean M. McDonald (MA, 1998)—Associate Professor of Economic Geography at Bentley University in Massachusetts

Sean M. McDonald grew up in Ypsilanti, and he has fond memories of bowling in the basement of the Union and going to football games at Rynerson Stadium. His father, Professor James McDonald, taught geography at EMU from 1963 to 2000. Sean earned a doctorate in Geography from Glasgow University in Scotland. He has taught at Bently University since 1997.

Sean notes that his “degree in History from EMU really opened the door a better understanding of our world, how it functions in the present and led directly to my Ph.D. and career as a professor in Boston.” His youngest son, Aidan, is currently attending EMU as an undergraduate, thus continuing the family tradition and making the McDonalds a three-generation EMU family. He adds: “I always look forward to my return visits ‘home’ to Ypsi.”

Jim Sargent with his “Mickey Matthews” novel, Brotherly Love (Photo provided by Jim Sargent)

Jim Baker (BS, 1964)—Retired History professor and author of the “Mickey Matthews” Books

Jim Baker grew up in Flint, Michigan, and attended Mott Community College before enrolling at EMU. Jim fondly recalls his “first B” and the challenges of navigating History courses. “EMU had lots of good professors and classes,” he reminisced, “but it was a lot of work.” Jim went on to earn a Ph.D. in History from Michigan State University. He then taught History for forty years at Ball State, Clemson, and Virginia Western Community College.

Jim is also a prolific writer. His “Mickey Matthews” series, set in Ypsilanti during the 1940s delights readers with its gripping tales of mystery and intrigue. Jim’s passion for baseball history also shone through in his writings, with a particular focus on the Detroit Tigers and the All-American Girls League.

“EMU made it possible for me to do my dreams,” Jim affirms. “That’s why I still go green.” He advises current history students to “pay close attention to what you read, take lots of notes, work hard, and have lots of great experiences at EMU.”

Austin Breuer (BA, 2024)—Running for Michigan House of Representatives for the 50th District

This August, recent EMU graduate and History major Austin Breuer is running in the Democratic Primary to represent the 50th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. Read more about Breuer's candidacy.

Julia Moore (MA, 2023)—Ph.D. in History candidate at the University of North Carolina

Julia Moore entered the M.A. in History program at EMU after completing her bachelor’s degree at Michigan State. She held the Opperman Fellowship in History and completed her thesis “Polish Women and Communism” under the direction of Professor Jesse Kauffman. 

Julia Moore (Photo provided by Julia Moore)

Julia notes: “My time at Eastern Michigan University was formative to me as both a scholar and a person. The adjustment was challenging at first, but I quickly made the friends I still have today because everyone was so open, and kind, and (of course) we all shared a love for history. I knew immediately that I wanted to continue my research from undergrad on Polish women, and the department supported me right away.”

Julia had wanted to earn a doctorate “for as long as I can remember,” but unfortunately, she was not accepted to any Ph.D. programs on her first try. “With support from the department, I switched gears, pushed back my graduation, and continued.” Julia tried again, and in early

 2024, she was accepted into the Ph.D. in History program at the University of North Carolina. “In times of doubt, hardship, and reconsideration of lifelong dreams, I had my friends and the faculty of the EMU history department to lift me and remind me I was still worthy of my goals. I sincerely thank and accredit Dr. Kauffman, Dr. McCurdy, Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, Dr. Ronald Delph, Judge Daniel Opperman, and my friends, the Wurst Gang, for who I am today.”

Jim Cameron (MA)—Named Michigan’s “History Hero”

Saline Area Schools teacher Jim Cameron recently received the 2023 History Hero Award from the Historical Society of Michigan. Jim’s teaching earned him the 2010 Gilder Lehrman Teacher of the Year Award for Michigan, but he’s has also made a name for himself producing oral history. In 2005, he published Voices over the Valley, An Oral History of Saline Valley Farms, which earned him the Historical Society of Michigan’s Award of Merit. Read more about Cameron's award.

Jeff Morrison (BA, 1984)—Receives Literature Award from SVSU

Detroit photographer and architectural historian Jeff Morrison has been awarded Saginaw Valley State University’s 2023-24 Stuart D. and Vernice M. Gross Award for Literature for his book Guardians of Michigan: Architectural Sculpture of the Pleasant Peninsulas. Read more about Morrison's award.