P HI A LPHA T HETA H ISTORY H ONOR S OCIETY

T HE N EWS L ET TER
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 2

H IGHLIGHTS IN
T HE B IG E ASY W ELCOMES P HI A LPHA T HETA ! THIS I SSUE :
Our Phi Alpha Theta Bi- Nearly four hundred stu- Planning a Successful Re-
 2018 Biennial
ennial Convention re- dents from 110 colleges gional, Publishing Stu-
Convention in New
turned to New Orleans and universities presented dent Journals and Pub- Orleans (Pages 1,
this past January, bringing their research papers on a lishing Books and Arti- 10-11)
together students and wide variety of interest- cles, as well as a spirited
faculty from all regions of ing historical topics. and excellent presenta-  From the President’s
Corner (Pages 2,
12-13)
 A Message from the
Executive Director
(Page 3)
 2017 Best Chapter
Winners (Pages 4-5)
 2017 Scholarship and
Awards Winners
(Pages 6-8)
 List of Deadlines for
Our contingent from University of Hawaii at Manoa stands together proudly at the 2018 2018 Prizes and
Phi Alpha Theta Biennial Convention in New Orleans. The Alpha-Beta-Epsilon chapter Awards (Page 9)
hosted the How to Panel, “Fundraising the Aloha Way,” which provided outstanding insight
on fundraising techniques. They also provided many delicious goodies to all attendees!

the country. From Alas-
ka to Hawaii, from Mas-
sachusetts to Texas, and
all points in between,
students and faculty came
together for the four-day
conference held from
January 3rd to 6th at the
Intercontinental Hotel
New Orleans.
Each panel was com-
prised of three to four
presentations fifteen
minutes in length fol-
lowed by a question-and-
answer period. In addi-
tion, twenty faculty
members gave papers on
their research. Our
program also included the
ever-popular “How To”
panels on such topics as,
tion by Alpha-Beta-
Epsilon Chapter
members from the
University of Ha-
waii at Mānoa enti-
tled “Fundraising
the Aloha Way.”
Continued on page
10...
Many people enjoy sightseeing in New Orleans
by way of mule-drawn carriages.
P AGE 2 T HE N EWS L ETTER

PHI ALPHA THETA F ROM THE P RESIDENT ’ S C ORNER

OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
Clayton J. Drees
Virginia Wesleyan University
Vice-President
Jacob M. Blosser
Texas Woman’s University
Executive Director
Graydon A. (Jack) Tunstall
University of South Florida
Advisory Board Chair
Jochen Burgtorf
California State University, Fullerton
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Daniel J. Clark
Oakland University
Ann C. LeBar
Eastern Washington University
David G. Nelson
California Lutheran University
Hosok O
Dixie State University
Jeff Roche
College of Wooster
David L. Snead
Liberty University
ADVISORY BOARD
Maria Arbelaez
University of Nebraska, Omaha
Michael Galgano
James Madison University
Robert Kodosky
West Chester University of
Pennsylvania
Debra Mulligan
Roger Williams University
Timothy Westcott
Park University
Greetings from the Old Dominion! My
name is Clay Drees, and I’ve been a profes-
sor of history at Virginia Wesleyan Univer-
sity in Virginia Beach for the past 26 years.
As I now undertake the honor of serving as
your national president for the next two
years, I hope I will be able to provide the
kind of steady guidance and inspired leader-
ship that we all enjoyed under my predeces-
sors Professors Jochen Burgtorf and Stephen
Carls. They both have earned my deep
gratitude for their exemplary stewardship of
our Society.
Before I embark upon what I hope will be a
light and entertaining topic in this, my first
“President’s Corner” message, I’d like to thank all those chapter advisors and
students who helped make our recent Biennial Convention in New Orleans
such a grand success! We were treated to approximately 375 student and
faculty paper presentations, some wonderful local food, and a great deal of
warm camaraderie among our fellow historians from around the country.
Many of us were also able to visit the National World War II Museum, which
opened its doors to Phi Alpha Theta students free of charge during our stay in
New Orleans. My special thanks go out to Professor Graydon “Jack” Tun-
stall, our esteemed national executive director, and his Phi Alpha Theta sup-
port team from the University of South Florida, for the outstanding job they
did to organize the Convention this year. As we look forward to our next
Biennial meeting (site TBD), I hope that many of you will consider making
plans to join us there in January 2020.
In an attempt to have a little fun with in my opening “President’s Corner,” I’d
like now to explore a topic that many of us probably give some thought to
fairly often. The English language is liberally peppered with colorful expres-
sions such as “it’s a shambles,” “the whole nine yards” and “knock on wood,”
but have you ever (as I have) wondered where these cute little phrases come
from in the first place? Let me share with you some of my favorite expres-
sions and the history (as I understand it) of the origins of each of them.
SHAMBLES, meaning “a mess.” A shambles was a lane containing butcher
shops in a medieval town; the butchers routinely threw the viscera (gutted
organs) of slaughtered animals into the lane to decompose. Ugh!
WHOLE NINE YARDS, means a “full effort or measure” and has nothing to
do with football. Large 18th century sailing ships featured three main masts
with three “yardarms” or “spars” (cross pieces) each. When all the ship’s sails
were unfurled and catching the maximum amount of wind, the ship was uti-
lizing all of its nine yardarms of sail to achieve full speed ahead.
Continued on page 12...
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 2 P AGE 3

A M ESSAGE FROM THE E XECUTIVE D IRECTOR

Greetings everyone and belated Happy New Year to all of our readers! I hope 2018
brings you good health and success. We kicked off the New Year in grand style with
our Biennial Convention in New Orleans. The conference was held January 3-6,
2018 at the InterContinental Hotel and was one of our most well-attended conven-
tions in recent memory. Our biennial conventions provide a wonderful opportunity
to for students and faculty to share their research and for colleagues to reconnect w
make new acquaintances. The city of New Orleans celebrates the 300th anniversary
of its founding, which made the timing of our conference even more special. Some
400 students and faculty presented their research on a wide variety of interesting
historical topics. I would like to offer my gratitude to the faculty panel chair volun-
teers, many of whom were called upon to chair multiple panels. On behalf of the
many students who benefitted from your input, thank you!

In addition to the outstanding cuisine and sights of historical interest New Orleans
has to offer, our student attendees were given free admission to the National World
War II Museum, which was located within walking distance of the hotel. If you had a chance to visit the museum, I
am sure you were quite impressed. Thank you to Nathan Huegen and Thomas Markwell for extending this special
admittance to our students.

Our 2018 convention also marks the beginning of a new presidency for our national organization. Dr. Clayton
Drees, of Virginia Wesleyan University, began his two-year term beginning at the conclusion of our biennial conven-
tion. I would like to thank our immediate past President, Dr. Jochen Burgtorf, of California State University-
Fullerton, for his excellent leadership and valuable counsel over the past two years. Dr. Burgtorf will continue on as
the Chair of our Advisor Board. Dr. Jacob Blosser, of Texas Woman’s University, has been elected Vice President,
as well as a new slate of council members for the 2018-2020 term.

This issue of our newsletter features the 2017 winners of our prizes and awards program. Each year, Phi Alpha The-
ta offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral scholarships, as well as paper prizes, book awards, a faculty research
grant to name just a few. For information on how to apply, visit our website www.phialphatheta.org and follow the
link to Prizes & Awards. I encourage you to visit the website and apply.

After serving as Executive Director of Phi Alpha Theta for the past twenty-four years, I plan to retire this summer.
It has been my distinct pleasure to witness the growth of this fine organization. Founded in 1921, Phi Alpha Theta
History Honor Society is one of the oldest, most respected honor societies for colleges and universities in the United
States. In three short years, the honor society will be celebrating its centennial. A committee has been formed to
formulate plans for a special celebration. Details will be shared as they develop….so stay tuned!

As of January 1st, we have a new Editor, as well as a new Book Review Editor for our Historian journal. Please join
me in welcoming Dr. Adrian O’Connor, of the University of South Florida-Saint Petersburg, as the Editor for The
Historian. Dr. Scott Perry, of the University of South Florida-Sarasota, has been selected our new Book Review Edi-
tor. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Kees Boterbloem, our past Historian Editor, and Dr. Richard
Spall, our long-time Book Review Editor for their valuable contribution to making our journal the respected publica-
tion that it is.

Sincerely,
P AGE 4 T HE N EWS L ETTER

2017 BEST CHAPTER WINNERS

NELS A. CLEVEN AWARD WINNERS
Division I
Oklahoma Christian University -
John Maple, Gary Lindsey and Matt McCook
University of the Cumberlands -
Nathan Coleman
Union University - Stephen Carls
Division II
Francis Marion University -
Christopher Kennedy
Harding University - Julie Harris
History faculty members and students at Union University join together for a photo
on Phi Alpha Theta's T-shirt-wearing History Spirit Day on March 13, 2017.

Division V
No award given.
Division VI
California State University, Fullerton - Jochen Burgtorf
East Carolina University - Wade Dudley

Phi Alpha Theta Board Officers of the Alpha-Mu-Gamma chapter at

Chapman University advertise the benefits of PAT to the
Chapman community.

Division III
Chapman University - Brenda Farrington
Midwestern State University - Whitney Snow
Division IV
Austin Peay State University - Minoa Uffelman In October 2016, officers, members, and supporters of the
Eta-Nu chapter at Texas Woman’s University helped raise money
Texas Woman’s University - Jacob Blosser for their chapter by participating in a fundraiser at a local
pizza shop.
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 2 P AGE 5

2017 BEST CHAPTER WINNERS

BEST CHAPTER AWARD WINNERS
Division III - Honorable Mention
Lewis University - James Tallon
Division IV - Best Chapter
Liberty University - David Snead
Division IV - Honorable Mention
Eastern Washington University - Ann LeBar
Division V - Best Chapter
California State University-San Bernardino -
Jeremy Murray and Yvette Saavedra
Members of the Alpha-Alpha-Iota chapter at Liberty University, assisted in spreading Sam Houston State University - Brian Mat-
mulch, removing tree limbs and finishing landscaping projects on National Park Day thew Jordan and Bernadette Pruitt
at the Historic Sandusky House in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Division I - Honorable Mention

Division VI - Honorable Mention
Thomas More College - Jodie Mader and Patrick Eagen
University of Toledo - Chelsea Griffis
Peru State College - Justin Pfeifer and Sara Crook
Brigham Young University, Provo - Edward Stratford
University of Texas, Arlington - Kathryne Beebe
George Washington University - C. Thomas Long and
The Sigma-Phi
chapter at Sam
Denver Brunsman
Houston State
University enjoyed
an end of the
semester potluck
and game night.

Division II - Honorable Mention

Southwestern Oklahoma State University - Becky Bruce
and Sunu Kodumthara
University of Arkansas, Monticello - John Henris
Phi Alpha Theta members at the University of Nebraska,
Division III - Best Chapter Kearney participate at a used book sale.
University of Nebraska, Kearney - Roger Davis
P AGE 6 T HE N EWS L ETTER

2017 S CHOLARSHIP AND A WARD W INNERS

Phi Alpha Theta is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2017 scholarships and awards.
Congratulations to all!

BOOK AWARDS DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Best First Book Phi Alpha Theta Scholarships
The Filth of Progress: Immigrants, Americans, and the Building of Jared Eberle, Oklahoma State University
Canals and Railroads in the West by Ryan Dearinger, Eastern Lindsay John Bell, Iowa State University
Oregon University
Derek Boetcher, University of Florida
Best Subsequent Book
Written in Blood. The Battles for Fortress Przemyśl in WWI by
Graydon Tunstall, University of South Florida

Jared Eberle Derek Boetcher

Ryan Dearinger Graydon Tunstall

FACULTY ADVISOR RESEARCH GRANT
DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS J. Michael Farmer, University of Texas-Dallas
John Pine Memorial Scholarship
Lynneth J. Miller, Baylor University

J. Michael Farmer
Lynneth J. Miller Lindsay John Bell
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 2 P AGE 7

2017 S CHOLARSHIP AND A WARD W INNERS

Phi Alpha Theta is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2017 scholarships and awards.
Congratulations to all!

(Photo left) In spring 2017, Honorable Mention

Tenor of Our Times, by The Scribe of the Ages: Ruminations on History by
Harding University produced California Lutheran University
50 print copies in addition to
the online version. Harding GERALD NASH HISTORY JOURNAL AWARDS -
University received first place ELECTRONIC JOURNALS
for the Gerald Nash History Graduate Institutions
Journal Awards, for both the
1st Place
print copy as well as the
electronic version. (TIE) Ibid: A Student History Journal by Texas Woman’s
University
1st Place
(TIE) Perspectives: A Journal of Historical Inquiry by
California State University, Los Angeles
GERALD NASH HISTORY JOURNAL AWARDS -
PRINT JOURNALS Undergraduate Institutions
1st Place
Graduate Institutions Tenor of Our Times by Harding University
1st Place
Traces: The UNC-Chapel Hill Journal of History by Honorable Mention
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Oklahoma Christian University Journal of Historical Studies by
Oklahoma Christian University
2nd Place
Welebaethan Journal of History by California State GORDON MORRIS BAKKEN SCHOLARSHIP
University, Fullerton AWARD
3rd Place John T. Truden, University of Oklahoma
Perspectives: A Journal of Historical Inquiry by
California State University, Los Angeles
Honorable Mention
Vulcan Historical Review by University of Alabama,
Birmingham

Undergraduate Institutions
1st Place
Tenor of our Times by Harding University
2nd Place
Oklahoma Christian University Journal of Historical Studies by
Oklahoma Christian University
John T. Truden
3rd Place
Historical Perspectives by Santa Clara University
P AGE 8 T HE N EWS L ETTER

2017 S CHOLARSHIP AND A WARD W INNERS

Phi Alpha Theta is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2017 scholarships and awards.
Congratulations to all!

PHI ALPHA THETA PAPER PRIZE AWARDS

George P. Hammond Prize
Jon Bateman, Liberty University
Lynn W. Turner Prize
Kathryn J. Rinehart, University of Central Florida
Nels Andrew Cleven Founder’s Prize
Graduate
David S. Pultz, City College of New York
John Emmert, Liberty University
Nels Andrew Cleven Founder’s Prize
Victoria Stambaugh Adeline Patterson Undergraduate
Benjamin V. Allison, Grove City College
Daniel Garrett, LaGrange College
GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
A.F. Zimmerman Scholarship
Victoria Stambaugh, Southwestern Oklahoma University
Thomas S. Morgan Memorial Scholarship
Adeline Patterson, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
William E. Parrish Scholarship
Benjamin Grosick, Francis Marion University

Benjamin Grosick
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 2 P AGE 9

Phi Alpha Theta

2018 Prizes and Awards
www.phialphatheta.org/prizesandawards
Prize/Award Name Brief Description of Prize/Award Application Deadline

Gordon Morris Bakken For graduate students in history Entries received by

Scholarship in Western History researching the Trans-Mississippi West March 1, 2018

Doctoral Scholarship For graduate student members who are Entries received by
pursuing a Ph.D. in History March 1, 2018

Graduate Student Scholarship For students entering graduate school for Entries received by
the first time in the fall of 2018 March 1, 2018

Graydon A. Tunstall For students members entering the fall Entries received by
Undergraduate Student semester of their senior year majoring in March 1, 2018
Scholarship Modern European History 1815-present

Best Chapter Awards For all PAT chapters that excel in Entries received by
promoting the mission of the honor July 2, 2018
society

Book Awards For faculty to submit a book for Best First Entries received by
Book or Best Subsequent Book July 2, 2018

Faculty Advisor Research Grant For chapter advisors who have served 5 Entries received by
or more years to advance his/her research July 2, 2018

Phi Alpha Theta Paper Prize For graduate and undergraduate students Entries received by
Awards who have written outstanding papers July 2, 2018

Nash History Journal Prize For all PAT chapters who publish print Entries received by
and/or electronic journals July 2, 2018

Phi Alpha Theta/ For graduate students to submit his/her Entries received by
Westerners International Award doctoral dissertation in Western History July 13, 2018

Charles Redd Center Book Award For faculty to submit for the best book on Entries received by
any aspect of the American West September 15, 2019
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 2 P AGE 10

T HE B IG E ASY W ELCOMES P HI A LPHA T HETA !

...continued from page 1.
In all, 259 undergraduate and 97
graduate papers were presented.
For the first time, our program
included three pre-determined
panels including, “‘There and Back
Again’ Historians' Tales from Aca-
demic Programs to Ca-
reers” (California State University-
Fullerton, chaired by Dr. Jochen
Burgtorf), “Ritual Killing in An-
cient Rome: Homicide and Roman
Superiority (Pedagogy and Prod-
uct)” (Colorado State University- Biennial Convention attendees enjoy dinner at the Presidential Banquet on
Pueblo chaired by Dr. Judy January 6, 2018, at the InterContinental Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.

(Photo right) Outgoing President, Gaughan), and “Bolts from the Blue:
Jochen Burgtorf, presents Military history from The US Air
Executive Director, Graydon Force Academy” (sponsored by the
Tunstall, with a plaque to honor United States Air Force Academy,
his 24 years of service. chaired by Dr. Robert Wettemann).
The first day of the conference began
with a half-day of panel sessions.
The biennial Council Meeting was
held, with the majority of our coun-
cil members present, to discuss im-
portant matters relevant to the or-
ganization. National officers gave
(Photo below) Panel in session at the
their respective reports. Key issues
2018 Biennial Convention. were then voted upon by those pre-
sent, pending final approval at the
Business
Meeting held
on Friday
morning.
Later that
evening, an
opening re-
ception gave
co n v e n ti o n -
goers the op-
portunity to
converse and
enjoy sam-
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 2
T HE B IG E ASY W ELCOMES P HI A LPHA T HETA !
(Photo above) Professor Stephen Carls of Union University and his student enjoy one of the
many beautiful sights in New Orleans.
plings of New Orleans’ world-
renowned cuisine.
Unseasonably cold weather during
our convention week did not deter
attendees from enjoying the sights,
sounds and cuisine of New Orle-
ans. Our program included plenty
of free time to allow students and
faculty to enjoy all that the Big
Easy has to offer. Though the
weather was unseasonably cold,
this did not deter attendees from
enjoying the sights, sounds and
cuisine of New Orleans. The year
2018 marks the 300th anniversary
of the founding of the city of New
Orleans and our conference coin-
cided with celebratory festivities
including the Joan of Arc parade
and the King’s Day Celebration
and fireworks too kick-off to the
Tri-centennial Mardi Gras. In
addition, the National World War
II Museum, located within walking
distance of our convention hotel,
which offered free two-day admis-
P AGE 11
(Photo below) Conference attendees gather
together for a photo prior to one of the
luncheon events. Thank you to all faculty
and students who made the 2018 Biennial
Convention a great success!
sion to our stu-
dents and a re-
duced ticket pric-
ing to faculty.
The Business
Meeting was held
the morning of
January 5th, with
President Jochen
Burgtorf presid-
ing. First on the
agenda was the
traditional Roll
Call of Dele-
gates, with thirty
Burgtorf gave an engaging keynote
-four chapter representatives re-
speech entitled, “When the Saints
sponding to the call. The official
Go Marching In: The Defense of Old
election ballot for the offices of Presi-
and New Orleans.” The conference
dent, Vice-President and National
adjourned with the traditional pass-
Council Member was voted upon.
ing of the spoon from our outgoing
Each of the elected officials will serve
President Dr. Jochen Burgtorf to our
a two-year term. Our convention
newly-elected President Dr. Clayton
program concluded on Saturday
Drees.
evening with Presidential Banquet,
attended by some two-hundred-and-
fifty faculty and students. President
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 2 P AGE 12

F ROM THE P RESIDENT ’ S C ORNER

...continued from page 2.
DONNYBROOK, meaning a “brawl or melee.” Named for a fair held in Donnybrook (a suburb of Dublin) each year
that was famous for its drunken fistfights.
BIGWIG, meaning “an important person.” Large curly wigs were popularized among the nobility by the Bourbon
kings of France--the larger the wig, the more important its wearer.
FREELANCE, meaning “an independent contractor.” In medieval times the younger sons of landed nobles stood to
inherit nothing from their fathers and so, already trained in the arts of war, they hired themselves out as mercenary
warriors to the highest bidder.
KNOCK ON WOOD, meaning “to avoid bad luck.” The ancient Celts believed that good spirits lived in trees, so
they knocked on wooden tree trunks to summon help from those spirits.
TO GIVE THE COLD SHOULDER, meaning “to ignore or reject someone.” When an unwanted guest showed up,
he was served a cold shoulder of mutton rather than a more appetizing hot dish of meat.
THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER, meaning “to discard valued items with those no longer
needed.” In centuries past, whole families bathed in a single tub of water from oldest (parents) first to youngest
(newborn children) last. The bath water was so filthy by the end that the baby might be hidden from view and
pitched outside with the dirty water.
WEAR YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE, meaning “to display one’s emotions openly.” In the Middle Ages,
knights wore tokens of their beloved on their sleeves while jousting.
STERLING, meaning “a high grade of silver.” English pounds sterling (currency) and sterling silver were made from
a very high grade of silver that was mined in eastern Europe by people the English called “easterlings,” which was
then corrupted to “sterling.”
GAUDY, meaning “excessively or garishly ornamented.” This term was inspired by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí
(1852-1926), whose buildings are thought by many to be decorated beyond the bounds of good taste.
THE DICKENS, meaning “the devil,” has nothing to do with Charles Dickens. Long before the author’s birth, the
term was a euphemism for Satan, and may derive from the archaic word “devilkins.”
EAT HUMBLE PIE. meaning “to accept blame for a mistake.” Another word for animal offals (guts) in the 15 th cen-
tury was “umble,” often used by poor townsfolk to make cheap meat pies that wealthier people wouldn’t eat.
WHIPPING BOY, meaning “one who takes punishment for another.” When a Tudor prince misbehaved, his desig-
nated whipping boy received the beating in his place.
BOO-BOO, meaning “a minor injury to a child’s skin.” During the Black Death in the 14 th century, plague victims
developed egg- or apple-sized cysts in their glandular areas called “buboes,” which usually heralded their approaching
death.
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 2 P AGE 13

F ROM THE P RESIDENT ’ S C ORNER

As I like to tell my students, everything has a history! I hope you have enjoyed our little ramble through the origins
of these colorful yet somewhat obscure expressions. If you have any of your own, or know of alternate explanations
for any of the expressions I’ve presented here, please contact me via email at cdrees@vwu.edu, I’d love to hear from
you.
(Photo right) Professor Jochen
Sincerely, Burgtorf of California State
University, Fullerton completed
his two-year term as national
president of Phi Alpha Theta
History Honor Society at the
2018 biennial convention in
New Orleans, Louisiana, on
January 3-6. His last official
act was to pass the presidential
spoon of office to his successor,
Professor Clayton Drees of
Virginia Wesleyan University,
at the conclusion of the
Presidential Banquet on
January 6.

(Left to right) Executive Director, Graydon Tunstall of University of South Florida, President, Clayton Drees of Virginia
Wesleyan University, Advisory Board Chair, Jochen Burgtorf of California State University, Fullerton and Vice
President, Jacob Blosser of Texas Woman’s University, at the 2018 Presidential Banquet.
 Phi Alpha Theta
History Honor Society, Inc.

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