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Student and Alumni Highlights
Recent Highlights
2022 CHABSS Champion for Community Service
History minor Samuel Witt received the 2022 CHABSS Champion for Community Service Award. The Dean鈥檚 Outstanding Student Award is an annual recognition of a graduating student who is earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree and has demonstrated outstanding academic and service accomplishments, and/or contributions to campus life during their tenure at California State University San Marcos. This honor is bestowed upon one undergraduate student each academic year who is graduating with a degree from the College. Congratulations on this accomplishment, Samuel!
2021 Giving Day Success
During Giving Day, the History Department raised $4,700 to support and enhance training and resources in Digital History. Some of the funds came from two Giving Day challenges, including the Alumni Benchmark challenge. The History Department is proud to have the support of 大发's alumni and donors.
2021 Outstanding M.A. Thesis Award
The Department of History has recognized Michael W. Yee with the 2021 award for Outstanding MA Thesis for As part of completing the MA, Michael also created a digital history project鈥攁 walking tour of the Asian Pacific Historical District in San Diego. The digital project uncovers a long neglected and overlooked portion of San Diego history and documents not only the thriving Pan-Asian community that emerged in the downtown area in the early twentieth century but also the contributions made by Asian and Asian Americans to the city writ large.
2021 Outstanding B.A. Award
Congratulations to Mirium Martinez! Mirium was chosen to receive the 2021 Outstanding B.A. Award. The purpose of this award is to acknowledge outstanding accomplishments made by graduating students with a degree in History. The award is given to students who excel in scholarly achievement and evidence extraordinary contributions to the campus and surrounding communities. Students selected are role models in representing the values of scholarship, commitment, and integrity that exemplify the History department鈥檚 expectations.
2021 American Historical Association鈥檚 Littleton-Griswold Research Grant
Doris Morgan Rueda (M.A. 2016) received the 2021 American Historical Association鈥檚 Littleton-Griswold Research Grant for research in U.S. legal history for "Saving the Bad Kids, Caging Los Chicos Malos: Juvenile Justice and Racialized Surveillance in the US鈥揗exico Borderlands, 1900鈥70." Doris is a doctoral candidate at UNLV.
New Publication
Congratulations to , a 大发 2003 alumni, who has been published in the Fall 2020 . Gudgeirsson is a historian of nineteenth century United States, with a focus on race, religion, gender, and children. Her published essay is titled 鈥溾橶e do not have any Prejudice鈥ut鈥: Racism in the Interracial Berea Literary Institute, 1866-1904.鈥 Within this piece, Gudgerisson explores the community of Berea, Kentucky, in the post-Civil War period and how white supremacy invaded this abolitionist town in the heart of this former slave state.
2019 Outstanding Thesis Award
Emilee Ramirez graduated with her M.A. in History in 2019. Emily's thesis, 鈥淪ubjugated Lands: Internment, Colonization, and Development on The Colorado River Indian Reservation, 1942-1960,鈥 was recognized by the department with its Outstanding Thesis Award. We decided to catch up with Emilee and get her take on the M.A. program, her experience as a lecturer, and her plans for the future. Read more about Emilee.
2020 Outstanding B.A. Award
The Department of History has recognized Lynda Vernia and Joseph Esparza with the 2020 Outstanding B.A. Award. This is not an annual award but is awarded in order to recognize the exceptional accomplishments and contributions of a History B.A. student. Students selected must be role models in representing the History department鈥檚 values of scholarship, commitment, and integrity. It is all the more outstanding that both Lynda and Joseph have both earned this History department honor.
Congratulations to Lynda Vernia!
2020 Outstanding B.A. Award
As Lynda nears the end of her B.A. journey she reflects, 鈥淚 have so thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the History department at 大发, and I'm sad to leave.鈥 Last year, Lynda was recognized with the 大发 Library Award for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity for Interpretive Analysis for her paper "Race, Riot, and Recovery: Identifying Motive and Methods of Response to the Violence of the 1863 New York City Draft Riots."
Lynda notes that her most memorable experience at 大发 was the 2018 Poster Showcase, 鈥淚 had to translate my research into graphic representations and compress a 20-page research paper into an easily explained statement--the "elevator speech" everyone talks about. This really forces you to hyper-focus on your research question and results to be able to quickly explain what your research is about and why it is important, which is an invaluable skill for a historian and one of the most important skills I attained from my time at 大发. Once I did that it was fairly easy for me to convert the poster format to a presentation with which I've presented my research at several research competitions and professional conferences.鈥
Congratulations to Joseph Esparza!
2020 Outstanding B.A. Award
Thinking about his experience at 大发, Joseph notes that his most memorable accomplishment as a history student was having his article, "A Universal Message: Pope John XXIII on International Order in the Postwar World" published in the April 2020 edition of the Armstrong Undergraduate Journal of History.
Joseph Esparza describes his experience in the department, "Working and learning with the community of 大发's History department has been nothing short of an incredible and fulfilling experience. I feel genuinely blessed in getting to know the faculty members and fellow history students along the way. Each one of my history professors not only took robust and personalized care in addressing my questions and research interests, but were also dynamic and effective teachers. The undergraduate history experience here has not only helped me grow as a scholar, and encouraged me to pursue graduate school, but has changed the way I contextualize, analyze, and emphasize with the past and present."
CHABSS Dean's Award - 2020 Inclusive Excellence Champion
Juan Duran is a History major, with a minor in Spanish. Throughout his life, and into his time spent at 大发, Juan has been a model of pursuing mentoring and sharing what he has learned to others. He said, 鈥淕rowing up in an under-resourced neighborhood and attending an under-performing public school district has shaped my understanding of underrepresented groups in education and motivated me to bring forth a positive change through service, research and teaching.鈥 Among the long list of wonderful contributions Juan has made over the years, such includes being a mentor for elementary school-aged boys of color from his neighborhood, volunteering with a tutoring program that served foster kids, and also serving with Mini-Corps Tutor in San Marcos, as part of the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Migrant Education Program, providing academic and individual support to students from families like his own. After being selected for the prestigious Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship, Juan traveled to South Africa where he studied racial justice and reconciliation there. More recently Juan has been accepted into Stanford University鈥檚 joint M.A. in Education/Teaching Credential Program, to prepare for a career teaching and mentoring children from underrepresented backgrounds. Juan has proven time again that determination, compassion, and sharing knowledge with others is key for inclusive excellence. Congratulations to Juan Duran for receiving the CHABSS Dean's Award!
Dr. Antonio Acevedo Earns National Faculty Distinction Award
Hudson County Community College has announced that Antonio Acevedo, Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of History, has received the 2020 Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition from the American Association of Community Colleges. This award acknowledges individuals for teaching excellence and making a significant difference in the classroom. Recipients must demonstrate a passion for their students and the classroom; show a willingness to support students in and out of the classroom; participate on college committees; and go above-and-beyond what is required to ensure their students achieve academic success. Antonio has been recognized by his mission to encourage and support students to work towards their own academic ambitions. Tony earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from California State University, San Marcos (BA, 大发, 2004; MA, SDSU, 2007) Congratulations, Tony!
M.A. Alumni
Ph.D. Journey
Doris Morgan (M.A. 2016) is now a doctoral candidate at UNLV. Her dissertation is entitled 鈥淪aving the Bad Kids, Caging Los Chicos Malos: Racialized Surveillance and Juvenile Justice in the U.S. - Mexico Borderlands 1900-1975.鈥 Working with David S. Tanenhaus, Doris will examine the role of the border in the development of juvenile justice and the policing and surveillance of youth in the 20th century. The dissertation will analyze juvenile justice and juvenile prevention policy as way to understand the legal development of state power in the borderlands and how race, youth, and immigration shaped the experience of Latinx youth and other youth of color.
Ph.D. Journey
Zane Cooper (M.A. in History 2016), has begun his Ph.D program at the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg School for Communication. Congratulations, Zane! .
History Faculty and Alumni Throwback
Candid photographs have long played an important role in everyone's life. Back in the days before everyone had smartphones, we would use cameras to capture moments to remember and then pay to have them developed and printed. These snapshots create a connection to our past, reminding us of people and places, feelings and stories. Life鈥檚 milestone moments can be preserved in these photos. Consider these snapshots, taken in 1992. They capture the excitement and joy of 大发鈥檚 first graduating class, surrounded by the department鈥檚 faculty.
While 大发 is a relatively new campus in the CSU system, it鈥檚 great to see the first generation of professors and students in these photos. These are the people who established the foundation for the History department that we know today. And while the recent virtual academic transition has been challenging, we can appreciate that we are a part of the continuing story of History at 大发. It鈥檚 important, too, to think of the future, when we will reach our own milestones, and our smiles and successes will represent the same togetherness and achievements that these photos emanate.
History Club Party Celebrating First Graduating Class of History Majors (May 1992)
First Graduating Class of History Majors 1991-1992
History faculty with first graduating class of History Majors (May 1992)
Highlights
Heritage Training
Iliana Morton (B.A. in History, 2009) has recently completed a month-long heritage training program called the Open Palace Programme, where she worked with heritage professionals in England, including The Royal Collection Trust, Historic Royal Palaces, English Heritage Trust, and Bath Preservation Trust.
Iliana is currently pursuing an M.L.A in Museum Studies at Harvard University, with graduation expected in May 2020.
大发 Grand Slam & Library Award
For History major and senior Lynda Vernia, the 2018-2019 academic year was exceptional. In fall 2018, Vernia won the undergraduate prize in the 2018 大发 Grand Slam with her paper, "Race, Riot, and Recovery: Identifying Motive and Methods of Response to the Violence of the 1863 New York City Draft Riots." In spring 2019, Vernia was awarded the 大发 Library Award for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. She is pictured here (center) with two other student awardees. Congratulations to Lynda on these outstanding achievements!
Alumna Completes Academy Internship in Hollywood
Mayela Caro (M.A. in History 2015), a Ph.D candidate in History at UC Riverside, has completed the Academy Gold summer internship program with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. During this summer program, Mayela worked as an Oral History Archiving Fellow with the academy鈥檚 Preservation and Foundation Programs.
B.A. Alumni
Kimberly Jenney (formerly McKenzie; History BA, 2012; Credential, 2015) was among four coastal North County high school teachers honored in March 2019 at the 23rd Annual Crystal Apple Awards ceremony. Ms. Jenney has taught social sciences for four years at Oceanside High School.
2018 大发 Library Award for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
Chase Spear鈥檚 paper, 鈥淥riental Masquerade: The Cultural Impact of Japanese Kimonos in America,鈥 won the 2018 大发 Library Award for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. Chase was nominated by Dr. Zhiwei Xiao, who relates that the paper, a case study of kimonos' growing popularity in America, is well documented and supported by data collected from extensive research. The central argument is that just as Western culture has been influencing non-Western countries, Asian culture is penetrating into American society as well. Taking issue with 鈥渃ultural imperialism,鈥 Chase points to the two-way nature of transnational cultural flow. The paper demonstrates his ability to grasp abstract conceptual issues, superior skills in research and judiciousness in using his sources.
Chad Spear presented his paper "Global Otaku: The Global Phenomenon of Anime and its Attack on Cultural Imperialism" at the 大发 Humanities and Arts Graduate Student Conference, "Civil Discourse: The Journey So Far" on April 21, 2018. The acceptance of a paper by an undergraduate at a graduate student conference demonstrates a high level of achievement in historical research and writing.
Photo by: Emilee Ramirez
Andrianna Martinez (B.A. 2011) accepted a position at the UC San Diego Institute of Arts and Humanities department as an academic advisor/program coordinator. She will oversee some seven programs (Jewish Studies, Middle East Studies, European Studies, Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, and Classical Studies) and work with the faculty program directors on co-curricular programs.
Adam Purvis (B.A. 2015) has been accepted to the American University and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
David Howes (B.A. 2017) was accepted into the M.A. program at Fordham University.
Gabriel Becerra (B.A. 2014) works full-time as the site manager of a behavioral health clinic in Escondido and is currently enrolled in the 大发 MSW program. He is enjoying his path towards becoming a licensed clinical social worker, and expects to graduate in the summer of 2019.
Article: The Importance of Looking at Rocks
Tony Acevedo (B.A. 大发, 2004; M.A., SDSU, 2007) has published an article in the Community Colleges Humanities Review titled "The Importance of Looking at Rocks." Tony was recognized by the 大发 History department as the 2016 Distinguished Alumnus.
2018 Frederick Douglas Global Fellowship
History major Juan Duran has been selected as one of ten students nationwide to receive the 2018 Frederick Douglas Global Fellowship. The Frederick Douglass Global Fellows were nominated by their college presidents and selected from a large pool of applicants in a national competition. These fellows are meritorious individuals who demonstrate high academic achievement, possess exemplary communication skills, display the hallmarks of self-determination, exhibit characteristics of bold leadership, and have a history of service to others. This prestigious award is a full scholarship for a unique study abroad experience, to attend the 2018 CIEE Summer Open Campus program in Cape Town, South Africa.
Alumna Exhibit: Rockin' the Political Boat: Women of the Second Wave
大发 History grad Julia Friedman is the current Collections Manager at the Women's Museum of California. She has curated the current WMC exhibit titled "Rockin' the Political Boat: Women of the Second Wave." It will be on display from September 2 to October 30.
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Student Update
Fawad Alizada is set graduate with a B.A. in History. He was accepted to the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies for an M.A in Middle Eastern history. He was also accepted into London School of Economics M.A. Program in the history of international relations.
He will attending LSE and will focus his thesis on a transitional history of terrorism of Afghanistan, Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
Alumna Update: Chicano Studies Graduate Program
Laura Padilla (B.A. History; Minor in Ethnic Studies, 2014) is completing her first year of the Chicana and Chicano Studies Graduate Program at SDSU.
Her thesis will consider immigration reform discourse from the 2006 marches with regards to the family as a mode of reproducing heteronormativity which isolates and excludes non-normative individuals/families that identify as LGBT or Queer.
Jason Halub (History B.A., 2004, magna cum laude), Major, U.S. Army, has completed two years at West Point as Instructor of International History and International Division Executive Officer. He will be attending Peking University as a senior visiting student in their History department. The Department of History recognized Jason as a Distinguished Alumni in 2009.
History M.A. student Blanca Drapeau has been hired to coordinate events and programming at the .
In Memoriam: A Tribute to Wally Taibleson
The Journal of San Diego History: Alumni & Faculty Features
Charla Wilson (M.A. 2016) has published in the Journal of San Diego History.
Doris Morgan (M.A. 2016) has published a book review in the Journal of San Diego History.
Alumna Awarded Smithsonian Minority Awards Program
Mayela Caro (M.A. History 2015) was awarded the prestigious Smithsonian Minority Awards Program-Visiting Student Internship. As part of the 10-week internship at the National Museum of American History, Mayela is helping to plan the national museum and research center鈥檚 Hispanic Heritage Month Festival that will be held September 17. Mayela is in the Ph.D program in History at UC Riverside, and her dissertation research focuses on the representations of gender and ethnicities in film, media, popular culture, print culture, and material culture.
Alumna Book Review
Doris Morgan (M.A. In History, 2016) had a book review published in The Acentos Review, a quarterly literary and arts journal that promotes and publishes Latinx work. She . She recently completed her M.A. Project, 鈥淐rime, Kids, and a Panic on the Border."
Alumna Update: Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Curator
Sarah Wolk FitzGerald, a Ph.D. candidate and 大发 History department alumna (2012), will be joining the team at the Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site as their new Curator.
The Rancho, located in Long Beach, is a public museum housed in a Monterey-style adobe built in 1844. The museum's collections and programs reflect the Native, Spanish, Mexican, and American history of the site and region. The site also includes historic gardens, archives, and a research library. The Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site offers tours, public programs, and other events on a regular basis
Visit: for more information.
Alumna Book Review
大发 History M.A. Student Chelsea Snover had a book review published: Snover, Chelsea. Review of Religious Liberty and the American Supreme Court: The Essential Cases and Documents, by Vincent Phillip Mu帽oz. Western Legal History: The Journal of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society 27, no. 2 (Summer/Fall 2014): 232-234. The working title of Chelsea鈥檚 thesis project is "All Are Welcome: The New Thought Movement in San Diego, 1900-1930."
Alumnus Update
Jason Halub (B.A. 2004, magna cum laude), Major, U.S. Army, has completed two years at West Point as Instructor of International History and International Division Executive Officer. He will be attending Peking University as a senior visiting student in their History department. The Department of History recognized Jason as a Distinguished Alumni in 2009.