University of Washington

There is always something new going on in the Department of History and our affiliated centers. Check out the calendar of upcoming events—many are free and open to the public! depts.washington.edu/history/ calendar/ In October 2015, Professor Devin Naar helped organize the musical evening "Ladino Songs Renewed," as part of the Stroum Center's 2015-16 series, "Mixed Media: New Expressions of Identity." Professor Margaret O'Mara gave a talk in October 2015 at the Museum of History and Industry, related to her recent book Pivotal Tuesdays: Four Elections That Shaped the Twentieth Century. In November 2015, Visiting Professor Christopher Browning presented "Holocaust History and Survivor Testimony: The Case of the Starachowice Factory Slave Labor Camps." Professors Arbella Bet-Shlimon and Daniel Sheffield participated in the November 2015 roundtable, "The Persian Gulf, Past and Present." Dr. Patty Limerick gave a December 2015 talk entitled "The Improbably Dynamic Western Past: How to Respond to the Claim that 'You Can't Change History'" in honor of Quintard Taylor, Professor Emeritus in the department. The 2016 History Lecture Series, "Excavating Seattle's Histories: Peoples, Politics, Place" was presented in January and February 2016, by Professors John Findlay, Quintard Taylor, Linda Nash, and James Gregory. The History for Life Alumni Career Panel (pictured) was held in February 2016, and featured three alumni from the Department of History: Sarah Davenport, Jerome Hunter, and Anne Levine. In April 2016, Stephanie Coontz delivered her talk, "The Way We Never Were: How Myths about the Families of the Past Threaten Our Future," in honor of former UW Professor Stephanie Camp. 2015 - 16 Lectures & Symposia IN MEMORIAM We mourn the loss of friend and colleague Christen J. Grorud (1979-2016), who passed away of natural causes in Indonesia in January. Chris was in Indonesia on a predoctoral fellowship sponsored by the UW and Harvard University. Previously he had completed significant advanced work toward a doctoral degree in Indonesian history with the department. Chris was a caring soul who made lasting friendships wherever he went. We will never forget his passion for history, for the people and culture of Indonesia, and for aiding all of those whom society has forgotten or left behind. The history community was saddened by the passing of Douglas W. Walker (1950-2015) in December, as a result of an avalanche. Doug was a passionate person. He loved the outdoors and the soaring mountains of the Pacific Northwest, and he also loved giving back to the community through a variety of philanthropic endeavors. One of his passions was history, which he supported by serving on the department's History Advisory Board, and by creating the Walker Family Endowed Professorship together with his wife, Maggie. Doug's energy and enthusiasm for history and for the Pacific Northwest will be sorely missed. 10  U N I V E R S I T Y O F W A S H I N G T O N

• Cover