About

The History Department at the Ohio State University aspires to distinction in scholarship, teaching, and service. As a top-tier department in an eminent public university, we seek to advance the highest standards of our discipline. Because we believe that research inspires great teaching, our mission is to promote the finest historical scholarship, and to offer both graduate and undergraduate students the most rigorous and intellectually challenging education. Espousing the values of a diverse and collegial community of historians, we explore connections across areas, eras, and themes. We strive to provide comprehensive and challenging understandings of the complexity of the human past to audiences across the state, the nation, and the world at large. Learn more about our department's inner workings by reading our Pattern of Administration.
 
Originally formed in 1879 as the Department of History and Philosophy, our department has a long and varied history. In 1969, Francis P. Weisenburger wrote, "A Brief History of Our Department," which outlines our early years. 
 
Among other awards, the following faculty have won the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching.
 
2022 -- Theodora Dragostinova
2018 -- Greg Anderson
2018 -- Bart Elmore
2015 -- Robin Judd
2013 -- David Hoffmann
2012 -- Hasan Kwame Jeffries
2011 -- Nicholas B. Breyfogle
2011 -- Scott Levi
2009 -- Randolph Roth
2009 -- David H. Steigerwald
2006 -- Geoffrey Parker
2005 -- Mitchell Lerner
1998 -- Mark Grimsley 
 
 

Department of History Officers 2023-2024:

 
Scott Levi
(Chair Scott Levi)
 
Chair - Scott Levi
Vice Chair - Alice Conklin
Director of Graduate Studies - J. Albert Harrill 
Undergraduate Studies Chair - Birgitte Søland
Honors Coordinator - Robin Judd
Lecturer Liaison - Jim Harris
Library Coordinator - Matt Goldish
Graduate Placement Officer - Lydia Walker
Undergraduate Enhancement Officer  - Randy Roth
Diversity Resource Officer - Hasan Kwame Jeffries
Grievance Resource Officer - Birgitte Søland
 

Department of History Committee Chairs 2023-2024:

 
Graduate Studies Committee - Bert Harrill
Undergraduate Teaching Committee -  Birgitte Søland
Promotion & Tenure Committee - Greg Anderson
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee - Stephanie Smith
Awards & Prizes Committee - Peter Hahn
Salary Advisory Committee - Alice Conklin
Workplace Climate Committee - Bart Elmore
 

Department of History Centers and Other:

 
Center for Historical Research (CHR) - Sara Butler, Director 
      CHR Anger in History Program - Bruno Cabanes, Chair
Goldberg Center - Nicholas Breyfogle, Director
Parliamentarian - David Stebenne
Public History Program - David Staley, Director
Origins - Nicholas Breyfogle, Steve Conn (Miami University),
     and Andrew Offenburger (Miami University), Editors
Undergraduate Newsletter - Ray Irwin, Editor
Building Coordinator - Alyssa Reynolds
Safety Coordinator - Alyssa Reynolds
 

College and University Senate:

 
ASC Senate Delegate - Randy Roth (AU23), Paula Baker (SP24)
ASC Senate Delegate Alternate - Ousman Kobo
University Senate Delegate - N/A
University Senate Alternate - N/A

Faculty on Leave


Autumn Semester

Paula Baker (EFS)
David Brakke (EFS)
Jennifer Eaglin (EFS)
David Hoffmann (EFS)
Randy Roth (FPL)
Sarah Van Beurden (EFS)


Spring Semester

Sara Butler (FPL)
David Brakke (EFS)
Jennifer Eaglin (EFS)
David Hoffmann (EFS)
Chris Reed (FPL)
Randy Roth (FPL)
Sarah Van Beurden (EFS)
 

FPL = Faculty Professional Leave (leave from teaching & service)
EFS = External Fellowship (leave from teaching & service)
SA = Special Assignment (leave from teaching only)