News and Events
New Fund established at Elwyn to support History Department Interns
October, 2026
For a decade, Dr. Brent Ruswick and WCU History majors have partnered with Elwyn to preserve its historically invaluable archival materials. As an epicenter for the development of modern approaches to special education and support for people with intellectual disability dating back to the 1850s, Elwyn is committed to preserving and sharing this rich history. In October 2026, the family of Dr. Elliott W. Simon, who initiated Elwyn's partnership with WCU and collaborated with many of our History interns, established in his honor a fund to financially support our History interns as they continue to preserve and process Elwyn's archival materials in their HIS 450 internship course. This fund will allow the History department to continue to support a hands-on, real-world paid internship at a major regional employer and community partner.
The Global War on Terror and PA veterans
September 10, 2026
25 years after 9/11, the Global War on Terror continues to impact Pennsylvania's veterans, as detailed in a recent Philadelphia Inquirer article featuring Dr. Kodosky.
History Alumnus Joe Felice Published in Major Military and Regional Journals
July 29, 2026
Since 2019, WCU alumni Joe Felice has been researching his mother's grandfather. Felice, who graduated from WCU in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in world/regional history, was able to publish two articles this year about his research. Felice's articles were featured in Military Collector & Historian and the South Philly Review which highlight his efforts to learn more about his great-grandfather's tugboat service at the Philadelphia Navy Yard post-WWI.
Dr. Gaydosh interviewed on Czech radio about Lichtenberg's beatification
June 11, 2026
Josef Javůrek (from a Czech Christan radio station) interviewed Dr. Gaydosh about Father Bernhard Lichtenberg, the topic of her 2017 book. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Lichtenberg's beatification.
WCU History Department welcomes Pulitzer Prize finalist, H.W. Brands
May 15, 2026
WCU history, Chester County History Center (CCHC), and Reads & Company, with help from new friend Alex Brubaker, collaborated on a special America 250 event and packed Philips Autograph Library for a talk and book signing by acclaimed historian H.W. Brands. Professor emeritus Charles Hardy, history major Luke Sammartino, and CCHC's Jennifer Green posed with our guest after he signed their copies of his new biography on George Washington, American Patriarch.
2025 Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Phi Alpha Theta Conference
In April 2025, WCU history hosted the eastern Pennsylvania regional Phi Alpha Theta conference, an event that also kicked off America 250 on campus. Ms. Helen Hammerschmidt, Associate Vice President, Communication, Operations and Strategy, welcomed our guests, history students and faculty, from other area colleges and universities.