What's new in the History department
Bill Siles studies urbanization and western migration
University of Illinois Springfield Associate Professor of History Bill Siles studies urbanization and western migration during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Peter Shapinsky researches ancient Japanese pirates
Assistant Professor of History Peter Shapinsky researches Japanese pirates from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. His research is unique because it allows historians to understand Japanese history from the perspective of the sea. While pirates were often labeled as violent criminals, they also helped to establish trade routes, transport goods and provide protection.
Upcoming Retirement
The History Department is sad to announce the retirement of Dr. 
Deborah McGregor, who has been at UIS since 1987. In her years of service to UIS, Dr. McGregor has taught women's history and United States history as well as classes focused on the histories of childhood and the family. She was honored for her years of service at a reception hosted by the History Club on April 8, 2010. Though she will be
missed greatly, we wish Dr. McGregor the best of luck in her future endeavors.
Phi Alpha Theta History Students
Congratulations to the following students for their recent acceptance into Phi Alpha Theta, the History honors society:
Undergraduates
Courtney Baxter
Nicholaas Kitsch
Candace Meserole
Ross Rachelle
Charlotte Rayburn
Darren Sawyer
Kayla Williams
Graduate Students
Crystal Cardoni
Margaret "Peggy" Dunn
Rebecca Martin
Dr Burlingame Awarded 2010 Lincoln prize
Dr. Michael Burlingame, the Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at UIS, has been awarded the 2010 Lincoln Prize for his book, Abraham Lincoln: A Life. The prize, which is sponsored by Gettysburg College and the Golder Lehrman Institue of American History, is awarded annually "for the finest scholarly work in English on Abraham Lincoln, or the American Civil War soldier, or a subject related to that era." Previous winners have included Doris Kearns Goodwin for Team of Rivals in 2006 and Ken Burns for The Civil War in 1991.
1st Annual Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Research Symposium
Thirteen students from the UIS History department presented at the 1st Annual Arts Humanities & Social Sciences Research Symposium on Friday, April 9th, 2010. The event, which was headed by history professor Deborah McGregor, sought to showcase research and writing projects of UIS undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of disciplines and allow students to present their original work to an audience composed of peers, UIS faculty and staff and members of the greater Springfield community. The presentations included posters sessions and oral presentations. McGregor lauded the event for its ability to bring students, their family members, faculty and the local community together in a discussion about topics across disciplinary lines.
