University of Washington

The Department of History was saddened to lose one of its leading lights, Professor Emeritus Jon Bridgman, on March 9, after more than five decades of teaching at the University of Washington. Bridgman joined the university in 1961, as a specialist in modern European history. After his retirement in 1997, he continued to be an active participant in the life of the university and the department through teaching courses and giving public lectures. His absence is sorely felt. Professor Bridgman was an esteemed scholar, and author of Revolt of the Hereros (1981) and The End of the Holocaust: The Liberation of the Camps (1990). But he is remembered, first and foremost, as an inspiring teacher, and a fierce advocate for the relevance of history to understanding the modern world. Over the years, Bridgman shared his passion for history with thousands and thousands of students, earning their deep admiration. In the classroom, Professor Bridgman had a uniquely engaging presence. As his friend James Binder remembered, his nervous energy, story-telling flair and, most of all, distinctive laugh "would disarm students—within a couple of classes they were hooked." Bridgman's style was paired with immense substance. His knowledge was vast, and the organizational clarity of his presentations allowed students to navigate complex historical terrains with confidence. He wrote each lecture from scratch, with fountain pen and legal pad, and as Binder recalled, "You could take the same class time and again, and every time Jon would present it from a new perspective and you would learn new things." In 1973, Professor Bridgman became one of the first recipients of the UW Distinguished Teaching Award. From 1987 to 2002, he headlined the wildly popular History Lecture Series sponsored by the UW Alumni Association. In many ways, however, he shied away from the limelight – always humble, he would often slip out of class early on the last day of the quarter, just to avoid the inevitable round of applause. What motivated Bridgman was simply the opportunity to share his love of history with others. Although Jon Bridgman is no longer with us, his legacy remains to inspire new generations of history students. In 2001, in recognition of his tremendous contributions in the classroom and beyond, UW alumni and friends established the Jon M. Bridgman Endowed Professorship in the Department of History. Professor Joel Walker currently holds that professorship. REMEMBERING JON BRIDGMAN DR. BRIDGMAN WAS NOT ONLY A THOUGHTFUL AND GIFTED TEACHER, BUT ALSO A CHARMING AND COURTLY MAN WITH AN ENCYCLOPEDIC MEMORY SUPPLEMENTED BY A READY WIT, INSATIABLE CURIOSIT Y, AND BOUNDLESS ENTHUSIASM. HE HAD A DEEP AND ABIDING CONCERN FOR OTHERS. DURING THE TURBULENT DAYS OF THE L ATE 1960S, I RECALL VIVIDLY HIS EFFORTS TO ASSURE THE SAFET Y OF HIS STUDENTS AS CLOUDS OF TEAR GAS WAFTED OVER THE CAMPUS. I'LL ALWAYS BE GR ATEFUL FOR DR. BRIDGMAN'S KINDNESS, GENEROUS SPIRIT, WISDOM, HUMOR, FRIENDSHIP, AND INSPIR ATION. —ROBIN LINDLEY, FORMER STUDENT JON TOOK OVER, AND TAUGHT FOR MANY YEARS, THE ENTIRE SEQUENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S YEAR- LONG WESTERN CIVILIZATION COURSE, FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT. HUNDREDS OF THOSE ENROLLED WOULD GO ON TO PACK HIS RENOWNED, AND ONLY SLIGHTLY SMALLER, CL ASSES ON MODERN GERMAN AND MILITARY HISTORY. WE STILL MEET TODAY THOSE WHO FONDLY RECALL THAT "IT WAS A HISTORY DEGREE THAT I RECEIVED, BUT REALLY I MAJORED IN BRIDGMAN." —CAROL THOMAS & RICHARD JOHNSON, DEPARTMENT COLLEAGUES Ivan Doig, Seattle-based author and UW history alumnus, passed away April 9, 2015. Doig was best known for his award-winning novels set in the American West. One of the things that set his writing apart was its deep grounding in historical research. This was a skill that Doig honed at the University of Washington, earning a Ph.D. in American history in 1969. The author put this education to good use, displaying a rare capacity to interweave fictional characters and plotlines with a meticulous respect for the realities of the past. In all, Doig wrote 16 books, winning numerous literary awards along the way, as well as many friendships within the department, and the appreciation of countless avid readers around the world Sylvia Wells-Henderson died March 11, 2015, at the age of 107. Wells-Henderson served as office administrator for the Department of History for a number of years, before retiring in the early 1980s. She is remembered with admiration by many friends in the department today. Wells-Henderson lived a remarkable life. Born in England, she was raised in Seattle and spent most of her adulthood in the Pacific Northwest. She had an adventurous side, however, and lived for much of the 1930s in Shanghai, China. After retiring from the University of Washington, Wells-Henderson spent 35 years on Bainbridge Island. Her many contributions to the department will not be forgotten. IN MEMORIAM HISTORY STUDENT AWAR DED PR ESIDENT'S MEDAL The department congratulates history undergraduate Sara Leonetti for being named a 2015 recipient of the highly prestigious University of Washington President's Medal. This award recognizes the two graduating seniors across the entire university with the most distinguished academic records. Leonetti will take a year abroad to teach English in Asia, before starting law school in 2016. The department wishes her all the best. 4  U N I V E R S I T Y O F W A S H I N G T O N

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