May 2020
Eve Troutt-Powell Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences honors excellence and convenes leaders from every field of human endeavor to examine new ideas, address issues of importance to the nation and the world, and work together, as expressed in our charter, “to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people.”
Alex Chase-Levenson-The Best Books on Living Through an Epidemic
The Covid-19 crisis is often described as an 'unprecedented’ event, but in the past outbreaks of virulent disease were much more a part of our lives. Historian Alex Chase-Levenson, author of The Yellow Flag, recommends five books that focus on the experiences of those living through an epidemic. Interview by Cal Flyn
Brent Cebul-Cities and states need aid — but also oversight
"Faced with staggering public health costs and cratering tax revenue as a result of the coronavirus, officials in both parties are demanding federal aid for state and local governments. Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who called for allowing states to go bankrupt two weeks ago, has moderated his stance, conceding that aid is now 'highly likely.'"
Kelsey Norris-Family Separation in the War-torn Soviet Union
As I Skyped with family members in Florida and California to share that I had successfully defended my dissertation on World War II-era family separation in the USSR, I appreciated how unfathomable the predicament my historical actors faced – completely losing contact with family members – is to us today.
Ciruce Movahedi-Lankarani Interviewed in Penn Today
Ciruce Movahedi-Lankarani discusses how US sanctions played into Iran’s energy development and complicated its management of the viral outbreak.
Tamara Morsel-Eisenberg (UPenn History-Ph.D, 2018) published in Tablet Magazine
"The coronavirus creates an unsettling tunnel in time between 21st-century New York and the world of 16th-century rabbis. The longer the current COVID-19 ordeal unfolds, the more the word “unprecedented” is repeated….."
Hyungtae Kim wins President's Engagement Prize
Hyungtae Kim, a graduating U.S. History Major, is one of eight recipients of President Gutman’s Engagement and Innovation Prize Winners for 2020. The prizes “empower Penn students to design and undertake post-graduation projects that make a positive, lasting difference in the world.
2019-2020 History Department Research Prize Winners Announced
Congratulations to the 2019-2020 History Department Research Prize Winners! Prize winners will be listed in the University's 2020 Commencement Program as well as on our Departmental website and social media.