20 January 2021

Dear colleagues and friends of the History Department,

Hopefully, today’s inauguration marks the new beginning of a different, better historic time period. Events of the past year have demonstrated again the singular importance of history to helping ground humans in their ever-changing world. Lehigh’s History Department is a collection of energetic, engaged scholar-teachers who offer exceptional courses and programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students can find critical courses  on trans-nationalism, race, gender, empire, movements, nations and time periods. 

This year presents opportunities and challenges to the department. In response to the pandemic in the spring of 2020, the department was initially forced to offer all courses online. The entire faculty quickly adapted to this new pedagogical challenge, tailoring their courses to meet students’ educational needs. In the fall, several faculty decided to teach on campus to help provide for first time students to have a semi-normal experience. The department will continue to miss the extraordinary research and teaching accomplishments of retiring Professors Smith, Cutcliff, and Simon, but look forward to the possibilities provided by hiring new faculty.

Looking forward to 2021 with you,

Rick Matthews

NEH Distinguished Professor

Chair, History