History forum quenches thirst for knowledge of the past

    In college, Thursdays are traditionally “thirsty,” but for graduate students in the history department, Thursdays are more about thirsting for knowledge.
    At 7 p.m. every Thusday in the Cumberland Room, graduate students and faculty members present their research in a research history forum.
    Bill Mulligan, professor of history,  said most of the presenters are graduate students because it gives them a chance to present their own research and get feedback from others in the department.
    “(The forums) help to make the presenters aware of what their interests are in the setting of a professional forum,” he said. “It helps to get feedback so they can better their research.”
    These forums are important in the development of professionals. In Murray State’s long tradition of professional training of the history department, a forum helps graduate students develop as researchers, Mulligan said.
    He also said these forums provide a chance for an individual’s research to introduce a new lesson of history not usually taught in school.
    The presenters are allowed to discuss whatever they please as long as they have done research, Mulligan said.
    Allison Crowe, graduate student and presenter, said new topics is one of the reasons she enjoys the forums.
    “These forums expose us to research and topics that are different from personal fields of interest or what is being taught a particular semester,” she said.
    Crowe also agreed feedback after a research forum is necessary to expand one’s knowledge of history.
    “We get feedback from a larger pool of professors on our research,” she said. “With it being an open forum, other departments have given lectures as well as participated in the audience to provide a different interpretation of history.”
    Crowe said though the forum was her first time to give a conference-style presentation, it was extremely helpful for her thesis research because she was critiqued on her presentation and given ideas on how to expand her topic.
    “As a student presenter, the forum at first can be a little intimidating since you are looking at an audience of the history department faculty and staff, along with fellow grad students and undergrads,” she said. “But once you realize they are only there to help you and you are discussing something you are passionate about, it is enjoyable.”
    Crowe’s forum topic was “British Women Reformers of the 19th Century,” a topic from a portion of her thesis.
    She said she chose the topic because she felt comfortable discussing it and welcomed advice on the subject.
    “History is my passion for many reasons,” she said. “Understanding the past allows for better understanding of the present, how societies got to where they are. More than anything I find it interesting through the study of history that thousands of years have not changed peoples’ basic emotions, needs and desires.”
    The turn out usually ranges from 25 - 35 people, Mulligan said, but she encourages anyone interested to attend and participate in the discussion.
    Contact Steele at stephanie.steele@murraystate.edu.