I am very excited to write my first “Chair’s Letter.” I assumed the post of Department Chair in August 2022 after Dr. Grigg’s many years of service. His mentorship in my first few months on the job has been instrumental in helping to find my way, and I hope you’ll join me in thanking Dr. Grigg for his excellent leadership as Chair these past years!
Although I am still learning the ropes, I am looking forward to steering the department through our ever-changing academic landscape. To be sure, there are many challenges. I could not, however, ask for a better set of colleagues with which to make this journey into the future. You’ll find this newsletter is full of many professional accomplishments, student outreach initiatives, and community engagement projects. I am constantly in awe my teammates’ achievements, dedication to their students, and energy to take on ever-more exciting projects. One of my main goals as chair is to find more ways to let my fantastic colleagues continue to shine.
Sincerely,
Danielle Battisti,
Associate Professor and Chair of History
Featured Faculty News
Dr. Mark Boxell
We are pleased to welcome our new faculty member, Dr. Mark Boxell, to the Department. Dr. Boxell specializes in the American West and U.S. Environmental History.
Dr. Mark Celinscak
Congratulations to Dr. Mark Celinscak, who received the 2022 Canadian Jewish Literary Award for Holocaust Literature for his book, Kingdom of Night. Watch Dr. Celinscak accept his award (left).
Dr. Danielle Battisti and Dr. Mark Celinscak Congratulations to Dr. Battisti and Dr. Celinscak! They were awarded the Alumni Outstanding Teacher, and Excellence in Research awards.
Dr. Jeanne Reames
Ample Entertainment flew Dr. Reames to New York City in September to be filmed as an expert for The History Channel’s “Titans of the Ancient World: Alexander,” to be released in summer 2023.
Dr. Reames also recently published "Alexander the Great and Hephaistion in Fiction after Stonewall" in the Routledge Companion to the Reception of Ancient Greek and Roman Gender and Sexuality, edited by Kenneth Moore.
Dr. James Clark
Dr. Clark recently published an article on the Iranian functionary Abdullah Mustowfi that will be included in the 3rd edition of the Encyclopedia of Islam and he translated the abstracts of six papers for a panel entitled "Iranian Archaeology."
Additionally, a translation of his article "The Conflicts of Identity: Nationalism in Post-Yugoslavian Macedonia" was published in TheJournal of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.
Dr. Martina Saltamacchia
Dr. Saltamacchia organized two events in September featuring Dr. Nichola Harris (SUNY Ulster) on The Virtues of Stones and their therapeutic application in medieval medicine: a lecture on campus and a presentation at the Joslyn Castle. The presentation was accompanied by a medieval banquet and live harp performance.
History Dual Enrollment
CARNE y ARENA
In August and September, 200 Omaha teachers took part in a Re-Imagining Migration event coordinated by Dr. Saltamacchia. Teachers toured CARNE y ARENA, a groundbreaking VR experience at KANEKO exploring the human condition of immigrants and refugees, and engaged in hands-on workshops on resources for supporting immigrant students and ways to teach about immigration to all young people to build bridges, empathy, and understanding across our communities.
Featured Student News
Jeffrey Preston
We checked in with our 2022-2023 Dunning Scholarship award winner, Jeff Preston to hear about his classes this semester. He reports, "My most enjoyable course this semester has been The U.S. in the Cold War, taught by Dr. Battisti. In addition to being a history major I am a political science minor, and I find this time period absolutely fascinating to study from both perspectives. I believe that there are so many things going on in the world today that can trace their roots back to the Cold War, and there are so many opportunities to learn from these events."
Monthly "Lunch & Learns"
Our students stay current with new developments in the profession and other academic opportunities at our monthly "Lunch & Learns." On November 16th, students learned more about the UNO Omaha Spatial Justice Project (OSJP).
Featured Alumni News
Ben Whisenhunt '92
Ben Whisenhunt (MA, 1992) completed his Ph.D. in Russian history in 1997 at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Since then, he has taught history at College of DuPage, published several books on Russian history, edited a journal on Russian-American relations, and led student groups to Russia. He retired this past summer but will continue to teach as an adjunct at DePaul University and Loyola University Chicago.
Jacob Domayer'21
One of our recent graduates, Jacob Domayer, teaches Social Studies at St. Thomas More Catholic School in Omaha.
In the classroom, his focus includes Geography, Ancient History, and American History. His classes challenge students to make sense of current events through the lens of history. "My time spent at UNO has certainly aided in my success as a teacher. I am able to use connections I have made through my time in college [and] learning about history has greatly impacted my instruction. With the wealth of knowledge I acquired at UNO, I can accurately and honestly inform the students about historical figures, battles, and more."
Please tell us more about where you are now. We'd love to feature you in our next newsletter!
Students from an Exploratory Studies section of World History Since 1500 attended a one-day preview of "Nobody's Listening." (Photo by A.J. Olnes, Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.)
Nobody's Listening
Dr. Celinscak is bringing "Nobody's Listening" to the UNO Art Gallery from January 9 to February 23, 2023. A follow-up to the 2019 Samuel Bak program, this exhibit features virtual reality immersion and commemorates the Yazidi genocide committed by ISIS in the summer of 2014 in northern Iraq.
February 2023
Dr. William Pratt
Join us on February 8, 2023 in the Milo Bail Student Center, Room 315 from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM to hear Dr. Pratt (Emeritus) discuss his latest book, After Populism: The Agrarian Left on the Northern Plains 1900-1960.
Barlaam and Josaphat. Buddha: A Christian Saint?
traces the most popular saint story in the Middle Ages across four religions and nine languages. Free music/dramatic performance by Ensemble Dialogos at St. Cecilia Cathedral, February 17, 2023, at 7:00 PM, with pre-concert lecture at the CEC, room 205 on February 16, 2023, at 6:00 PM. Info: msaltamacchia@unomaha.edu
March 2023
The Archeology of Chaco Canyon
Learn more about Mayan mathematics and other scientific advances from Dr. Edwin Barnhart, the Director of the Maya Exploration Center on March 7th.
We will be hosting renowned scholar, Dr. Kathleen Belew, for this year's Winchell Lecture, "Understanding White Supremacy: Decoding the Actions of the White Power Movement."
Join us in welcoming her to the Thompson Alumni Center on April 12th at 7:00 PM. Keep an eye on the UNO Events Calendar for updates and registration opportunities!
Watch for our Spring Newsletter
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We are so grateful for the generous support of our friends and extended community members, thank you! If you'd like to learn more, please email us or visit the University of Nebraska Foundation website.
University of Nebraska at Omaha, Department of History, ASH 287, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68182, 402.554.2593
