Spring 2011 History’S Happenings

Volume 1, Issue 2 Spring 2011 History’s Happenings

Dr. Storey Reflects on Career

John Storey began studying history made research tremendously easier with new people and new points of S P E C I A L with a very different plan in mind with more access to documents view was the most difficult part of P O I N T S O F INTEREST: than becoming a professor. “I directly from the office computer. He the position. thought perhaps that I might become also feels that dependence on tech-  Spotlight on a preacher,” Storey said, and he felt nology in the classroom has changed Dr. Storey says he admires most Graduate As- that a preacher should know some- the dynamic of interaction with the professors who remain current and sistants thing about history. As the young continue to research and write Storey became more acquainted throughout their careers because  Local Veteran with professors such as Ralph Woos- this reinforces good teaching. When ter, Wesley Norton, and Sam Evans, asked about the people he admires Honored he began to rethink his professional the most, Storey recognized Ralph  PAT New Mem- ambition. By his junior year he knew Wooster, Naman Woodland, Robert he wanted to teach at a university. Reed, Ralph Lynn, and his disserta- bers Initiated tion advisor, Paul Nagel. He gravitated toward US Intellectual  News Bits History, especially the tie between In retirement, Dr. Storey plans to  Pet Corner race and religion. When he first Dr. John Storey continue writing and traveling a great came to Lamar, he taught courses (http://dept.lamar.edu/history/ deal with his wife. He also does on the history of ideas, but all of his storey.htm) stained glass work as a hobby and writing focused on religion. After hopes to do more of that as well. As approaching a hesitant chair, he was a distinguished member of the fac- given a class on the history of relig- students, for better or worse. ulty of Lamar’s history department, INSIDE THIS ion. Storey continued to teach this his presence will be missed, though ISSUE: course on religion in the South until As chair, Storey believes schedule we all wish him well in his future he stepped down last May. building, as well as meeting the ventures. Storey’s Story 1 needs of students in tight economic Storey sees technology as the most times, were the more challenging — Cassandre Durso significant change in the profession parts of the job. However, he felt Veteran Honored 2 since he began in the field. This has that keeping the department fresh,

Faculty Brown Bag 3 Department Mourns Loss of C a r a w a y

OAH Conference 4 Thomas Earl Caraway, Adjunct Instruc- Earth and Space Sciences.) ring to his teaching as “the best job I tor of History, passed away January 4, have ever had.” He approached his 2011. He was born in Silsbee, Texas, He began work on a Master of Arts in duties as he approached everything New PAT Members 5 to Virgil and Rose Caraway. After History in 2004, completing the degree else – with passion and a drive to graduating from Silsbee High School, in 2008. He served as Adjunct Instruc- succeed. When his voice began to fail, News Bits 6 he joined the United States Navy and tor of History until his death. He is he requested a microphone so that he later attended Galveston College. survived by a sister, Carolyn Caraway, could continue to work. As one of his and many cousins, nieces and neph- colleagues said, “We will miss his Pet Corner 6 He entered Lamar University and re- ews. He was buried with full military enthusiasm and good humor. He was a ceived his Bachelor of Applied Arts and honors in the Houston National Ceme- major presence in the history depart- Sciences in 2003. He also worked as a tery. ment and he will not be forgotten.” Laboratory Instructor in the Department of Geology (now the Department of Tom was a gifted teacher, often refer- — Howell Gwin P a g e 2 History’s Happenings Local Veteran Honored by Norwegian G o v e r n m e n t

On March 4, 2011, Rear as a seaman on various ves- Admiral Trond Grytting of the sels. He joined the U.S. Army

Norwegian Navy traveled to in 1942 and trained with the Silsbee Convalescent Center 99th Battalion at Camp Hale, to present Leif Oistad with Colorado. the Norwegian Defense He was recruited, along with Medal. Sent in the name of other Norwegians and Ameri- King Harald V, Admiral Gryt- cans of Norwegian descent, ting was honoring Oistad’s by the Office of Strategic service during World War II. Services (OSS) for a special

Oistad was born March 12, unit to conduct operations 1922, near Fredrickstad, behind enemy lines in occu- Norway, the youngest of eight pied Norway. Front row: Leif Oistad; Second Row: Oistad’s wife, Delene; children. After graduating daughter, Lisa Mowen; Third Row: Oistad’s daughter-in-law; (Continued on page 4) son, Erik; Adm. Trond Grytting. Photo by Mark Mengerink. public school, Oistad worked

“[T]he project Mengerink Takes Advantage of Faculty Development Leave

hopes to be the Mark Mengerink, assistant pro- for material relating to his project recently traveled to Las Vegas to first book-length fessor in the department, was on suicide during the Holocaust. present a paper on the topic to awarded a faculty development the Southwestern Social Sciences Based on his dissertation, the leave for spring semester. The Association annual meeting. An study of suicide project hopes to be the first book- leave allows faculty release time article based on this research is length study of suicide in the to conduct research, write, and under consideration for publica- in the ghettos ghettos and camps of Eastern pursue other scholarly activities. tion in an interdisciplinary anthol- Europe during World War II . He ogy examining the sociology of and camps of Mengerink has visited the United hopes to identify a publisher for music titled Ritual, Authenticity, States Holocaust Memorial Mu- the manuscript soon. Eastern Europe and Globalization in Music: An seum archives in Washington, Mengerink also continues to Introduction to the Sociology of D.C. and the Fortunoff Video during World examine how heavy metal bands Music. Archive for Holocaust Testimonies represent the Holocaust, Hitler, on the campus of Yale University War II .” and the Nazis in their lyrics. He

Spotlight on Graduate Assistants: Sharon Courmier

Born in Beaumont, Sharon stories and people that you could many and teaching American her library of 1500 books. (Michelle) Courmier, knew from never find in a book.” history on a U.S. Army of Air She reads widely in history, an early age she wanted to study Force base. Sharon’s research interests biography, crime novels, and and teach history. Like most of focus on women. “I love biogra- When she has free time, Sharon the occasional romance us, Sharon had an amazing phies and I am fascinated by spends it with her family. Sharon novel. teacher that opened her eyes to strong and empowered women.” and Paul, her husband of twelve Most importantly, Sharon the fascinating world of history. She hopes to teach when fin- years, have two children. Kate- has another dream. “I would “Her name was Mrs. Blitzer and ished with her M.A., eventually lynn Danielle (Katie) is eight and like to raise my two kids to she taught me that history was completing a Ph.D. in history Ethan Tyler is two-and-a-half. love learning and education more than dead men and dates; when her children are a bit older. as much as I do.” that it was full of interesting Sharon also likes to read from She dreams of returning to Ger- Volume 1, Issue 2 P a g e 3

Dr. Forret’s Busy Year Dr. Jeff Forret, associate professor in Dr. Forret has impressed the scholarly the department, continues to produce community with his research, but it

high quality scholarship, as illustrated seems people outside of academia by the acceptance for publication of have taken notice as well. A film- his most recent article, “Slaves, Sex, & maker is considering making a motion Sin: Adultery, Forced Separation, and picture based on his research on slav-

Baptist Church Discipline in Middle ery. Georgia,” by the prestigious journal Most importantly, Gabriel Forret was Slavery & Abolition. born on November 1, 2010, making In addition to this recent article, Forret sure that Jeff and his wife Sharon are Gabriel Forret. Photo courtesy of Jeff and also wrote the "19th-Century Slavery" a little more tired every morning. We Sharon Forret. entry for the Oxford Encyclopedia of wish Jeff, Sharon, and Baby Gabriel American Social History. the best.

Spotlight on Graduate “[t]his work really Assistants: Cassandre Durso affected me deeply, We have Ms. Atmar and Dr. Gwin, She and her husband, Shane, have Holocaust though. She is currently both of the Lamar history depart- two children. Shelby is nine and researching the experience of Italian and showed me ment, to thank for inspiring Cassan- Harmony is five. immigrants to Texas and Louisiana, dre Durso with a love of history. As which forms the basis for her upcom- Of the numerous books Cassandre that the light of Cassandre admitted, “[t]heir lecture ing M.A. thesis. has read this year, her favorite is style and passion for their field made Survival in Auschwitz by Primo Levi, Cassandre plans to graduate in May humanity can me realize that there was more to one of the most significant Holocaust 2012 and eventually enter a Ph.D. the subject than the dates and memoirs. She stated, “[t]his work program when her children are older. survive in the names I had been forced to regurgi- really affected me deeply, and Her goal is to become a professor tate in grade school.” showed me that the light of humanity “so that I can inspire others as I have darkest of places.” Born in Southeast Texas and re- can survive in the darkest of places.” been inspired.” settling here in 1995 after moving Her current research interests take several times, Cassandre graduated her far from the Nazi camps of the from Nederland High School in 1999.

Faculty Benefit from Brown Bag Workshops

Under the direction of Dr. Jimmy February’s workshop allowed depart- Participants Bryan, assistant professor in the ment members to discuss Dr. Rebecca envision the department, several faculty have Boone’s research on Mercurino Gatti- brown bag series organized a brown bag workshop nara, grand chancellor of Holy Roman expanding to series. The workshops aim to assist Emperor Charles V. include graduate faculty in their current research. students as well, In March, participants examined Dr. Participants read a previously- providing an Forret’s research on slave adultery circulated paper by a faculty member opportunity to and forced separation in Baptist and gather to discuss the paper, receive construc- churches in Middle Georgia. providing both positive feedback and tive, supportive feedback. constructive criticism. The workshops April’s workshop will focus on Dr. The brown bag series will continue fall also allow faculty to keep abreast of Mengerink’s research into heavy semester. For more information on the current research interests of their metal bands’ creation and propaga- the workshop, please contact Dr. colleagues. tion of Holocaust memory. Bryan. P a g e 4 History’s Happenings

Leif Oistad Honored (Continued from p a g e 2 )

After training in Washington, gian Crown Prince in a victory In 2009, Oistad gifted his of the history department, D.C., Massachusetts, and parade in Trondheim. personal papers relating to the article appears in the Britain, the Norwegian Spe- his military service to the November 2010 edition of Oistad came to the U.S., cial Operations (NORSO) Special Collections Depart- The Texas Gulf Historical where he eventually became Group parachuted into occu- ment in the Mary & John Gray and Biographical Record. captain of several seismic pied Norway In spring 1945. Library at Lamar. research vessels. As captain Sadly, Leif Oistad died Until the end of the war in for Shell Oil Company, Oistad More information about Ois- Thursday, March 17, May 1945, Oistad and the and his crew searched for oil tad’s military career appears 2011. He was 89. NORSO Group attacked re- mainly in the Gulf of Mexico, in “Behind Enemy Lines with treating German army units but also all over the world. Leif Oistad: An East Texas and destroyed rail lines. He married, had two children, Resident Recalls World War When the war ended, the Lisa and Erik, and eventually II.” Based on Oistad’s per- NORSO Group served as an retired to Village Mills. sonal papers and an inter- honor guard for the Norwe- view with Dr. Mark Mengerink

Focus on Graduate Assistants: Jessica Patrizi

“I was a bit of A native of Beaumont, Jessica transferred to Lamar University, Her M.A. thesis will examine inter- a late bloomer in Patrizi graduated from Monsignor where she earned her B.A. cum ment and funeral practices and Kelly Catholic High School. After laude in history with a minor in document the death omens that regards.” graduation, she enrolled in Loyola political science. slaves used to interpret and resist University in New Orleans, where death. Also, she will explore how Jessica’s research interests cen- she studied biology in the pre- these cultural practices served as Patrizi on her ter on documenting slave cultural medicine program. resistance to the institution of practices, especially those that slavery. switch of majors She became interested in history began in Africa and continued from biology to far into her undergraduate stud- once the slaves had reached Once completed with her M.A. ies at Loyola. As she admits, “I America. Jessica hopes to chart program, Jessica plans to either history. was a bit of a late bloomer in that the continuity and discontinuity in attend law school or enroll in a regards.” She eventually cultural practices relating to history Ph.D. program. switched her major and then death.

Webb Society Students Experience OAH C o n f e r e n c e

Students in the Webb Society current on the latest scholar- see professional historians at traveled to Houston the week- ship and teaching strategies. work outside of the classroom. end of March 17-20 to experi- This year’s conference in- Webb Society members also ence the Organization of Ameri- cluded over 150 sessions on volunteered to assist confer- can Historians annual confer- topics ranging from the origins ence goers, enabling them to ence. of the Civil War to the current experience the event from a Dedicated to promoting the Texas textbook controversy different perspective. study and teaching of Ameri- and more. can history, the organization It proved a great opportunity Our students get fired up about encourages scholars to stay learning. for Lamar history students to Volume 1, Issue 2 P a g e 5

Phi Alpha theta Initiates New Members of new members and banquet oc- liams as new members. curred Wednesday , March 23, Attendees at the banquet were 2011, in the Spindletop Room of the treated to a presentation by Dr. Mary & John Gray Library. Phi Alpha Ralph Wooster, professor emeritus Theta is a national history honor in the department. Dr. Wooster dis- society with strict grade point aver- cussed his service in the U.S. Army age requirements for admission. Historical Division in 1950s occu- This year the Mu Chi chapter of Phi pied Germany. Alpha Theta welcomed Katharine New members with Dr. Wooster, l to r: J. Patrizi, Congratulations to the new mem- M. Minnick, R. Morris, M. Wiley, Dr. Wooster, A. Bethel, Madison Davis, Amanda bers and thank you Dr. Wooster, McKenna, A. Williams, M. Davis, A. Lilley. Photo Lilley, Alexandra McKenna, Matthew courtesy of Cassandre Durso university friends, family, loved Minnick, Renee Morris, Jessica Pa- ones, and faculty for making the trizi, Jennifer Whittington, Mari- evening successful. The annual Phi Alpha Theta initiation Kathryn Wiley, and Amarienne Wil-

“Application forms Scholarships Available are available in The Department of History is is April 15, 2011. Applicants the Daughters of the Republic of accepting applications for de- will be notified by mid-May. Texas. Other scholarships may the History partmental scholarships in Fall become available next fall. Applicants should have com- 2011. Scholarships will be Office, Archer pleted 12 hours of history in- All applications will be kept on awarded based on academic cluding at least one 3000-4000 file for future consideration. 200. The record and potential for success level course and 50 hours over- Contact Dr. Howell Gwin with in historical studies. all. any questions. His contact in- deadline is April Scholarships are available for formation is Archer 200C. Immediately available are schol- 15, 2011.” both graduate and undergradu- Phone: 880-8530. Email: how- arships honoring Samuel E. ate students. Application forms [email protected] Evans, Harold and Eleanor are available in the History Of- Fritze, Howell H. Gwin, Jr., and — Howell Gwin fice, Archer 200. The deadline

Patty Renfro: Award R e c i p i e n t Visitors to the department will The university recognized Patty ment running efficiently. “It’s about always be greeted by Patty’s smiling Renfro’s commitment and time.” Every- A graduate of Lamar, Patty face. hard work by awarding her a one in the (http:// worked as data processor and dept.lamar.edu/ Distinguished Staff Award. department secretary in human resources history/ Patty was one of eleven staff realizes the renfro.htm) in the private sector before members to be recognized in a crucial role coming to Lamar’s history de- ceremony held April 5, 2011. Patty plays. partment. As administrative assistant for Please congratulate Patty on The consensus reaction to the the department since 1997, her prestigious award. good news among faculty and Patty has used her extensive students in the department is experience to keep the depart- WE’RE ON THE WEB!! HTTP://DEPT.LAMAR.EDU/ HISTORY/

It is the purpose of the Department of History H I S T O R Y to impart a knowledge and understanding of DEPARTMENT, LAMAR UNIVERSITY the past to the students enrolled in the Uni- versity. This objective is based upon the be- Lamar University lief that such knowledge and understanding P.O. Box 10048 Beaumont, TX 77710 improve the quality of life of individuals and Phone: 409-880-8511 contribute to the welfare of our society. The Fax: 409-880-8710 department seeks to accomplish this objec- Written and edited by Dr. Mark Mengerink. He would like to thank Cassandre Durso and Dr. tive through a program of continued study Gwin for their articles that appeared in this and research by its members and students. issue. Thanks also to those who supplied information for the latest installment of Research interests of the department focus History’s Happenings. The newsletter’s on both American and world history. success depends on your participation. If you have noteworthy news to report to the university community, please contact Dr. Mengerink.

N e w s B i t s P e t C o r n e r

 Dr. Lee Thompson continues to work the department and reference librarian on his next Theodore Roosevelt biog- in the Mary and John Gray Library, had raphy. This summer Thompson will six encyclopedia entries published in late benefit from his fellowship at Wolfson 2010. The entries appear in M.E. College, Cambridge. Thompson Sharpe's Encyclopedia of the Early Re- hopes to complete the book, Theo- public and Antebellum America. She was dore Roosevelt and the Great War, in also elected as the chair-elect for the 2012. This fall he will also attend the Library Instruction Round Table and as Councilor for District 8 in the Texas Li- North American Conference on Brit- Hi!! My name is C.C. That’s short for Christ- brary Association. ish Studies Conference in Denver. mas Cat. I love living with Dr. Scheer be-  Drs. Mary Scheer and Mark Menger-  The department recently purchased sev- cause I can sleep wherever I want. See? I’m in the bathroom sink! I like adventures, too, ink now serve as advisors to history eral DVD videos with HEAF money for but this one I had was too scary. I thought it majors. Make sure you’re on track use in history classes. They will be might be fun to take a car ride...on the un- for graduation by visiting your advisor housed with the other videos owned by derside of the car. My neighbors decided to the department in the graduate assistant often. Dr. Scheer advises freshman drive to Woodville, so I hitched a ride. Then I office. Space limitations prevent a full and senior majors. Dr. Mengerink is explored Woodville for four days until listing of titles, but the videos cover making appointments for sophomore mommy and daddy could rescue me. That’s and junior history majors. American, European, and world history the last outdoor adventure for me! I’ll just topics. stick to lounging about the house. I think I  Theresa Hefner-Babb, instructor for used a couple of my lives on that adventure!