Phi Alpha Theta- Lambda Eta Chapter

Don't forget! Today's the deadline for submitting paper proposals for the PAT Regional Carolina Conference.

Phi Alpha Theta Conference - College of Charleston A top 10 fastest-growing city for software and Internet technology, an emerging hub for aerospace, and a hotbed for healthcare and biosciences.

Shared from Phi Alpha Theta National.

Do you want to meet even more fellow historians? members who were inducted in 2021 or 2022 can join the American Historical Association at a discounted rate!
This deal expires at the end of June, so visit historians.org/join and use the code PATNEW22 to sign up.

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We are still fundraising in honor of Dr. Wade Dudley, so that a scholarship can be offered in his name to deserving undergraduate students. Thank you to all who have given!

All friends of ECU's PAT chapter are invited to attend our first virtual Carolinas Regional conference, from 8:30am - 3:30pm on Saturday, April 10, hosted by Francis Marion University! Free registration at https://tinyurl.com/2021PATCarolina, and you can attend as much or as little as you would like. We will be celebrating the life of Dr. Wade Dudley through two memorial panels of student work he inspired, as well as through a new Wade Dudley award for the best undergraduate paper, funded by the PAT National Office. We are so grateful for this chance to honor Dr. D's impact on our students!

Thanks also to our ECU undergraduate (U) and graduate (G) members and alums who will be presenting their excellent research on Saturday!
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Panel 1: In Memoriam: Wade Dudley (9-10:15am)
-“’Being Worthy of a Chapter’: A Chronological and Documentary History of the Phi Alpha Theta Lambda Eta Chapter at East Carolina University, 1966-2020”* by Zachary Dale (G), East Carolina University
-“USS Wolverine: From Luxury Liner to Aircraft Training Carrier”* by Sydney Swierenga (G), East Carolina University
-“North Carolina’s Rescue Efficacy: A Case Study of Rescue Techniques Employed by the United States Life-Saving Service”* by William Nassif (G), East Carolina University
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Panel 6: In Memoriam: Wade Dudley (10:30-11:45am)
-“An Analysis of the Events and Consequences of Sir Francis Drake’s Caribbean Raid of 1585-1586” by Andrea Yoxsimer (G), East Carolina University
-“Royal Governor William Tryon’s Time in North Carolina” by Catherine Maryott (G), East Carolina University
-“Lafitte’s Pirate Nation and Its Influence on New Orleans” by Amber Cabading (G), East Carolina University
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Panel 7: African American History (10:30-11:45am)
-“Bite of History” by Johnathan Espino (U), East Carolina University
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Panel 8: Gender and Sexuality in the West (10:30-11:45am)
-“Hidden in Obscurity: North Carolina and the Homophile Movement, 1965-1966” by Zachary Dale (G), East Carolina University
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We'd be honored to see you there! Full program at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FOMZOTQC_nlPi2Fz2RvS7L9FhizO7ZNc/view?usp=sharing

Carolina Regionals Phi Alpha Theta Conference Registration April 10, 2021

https://www.facebook.com/NCHistorians/posts/4591202447608188

In Memoriam: Dr. Wade G. Dudley
March 14, 1953 – August 8, 2020
Written by Eric Walls

​On August 8, 2020 North Carolina tragically lost one of its most beloved historians and teachers, Dr. Wade G. Dudley. Born and raised in Sampson County, “Dr. D,” as he was affectionately known to his students, graduated from Roseboro-Salemburg High School in 1971. He then attended East Carolina University where he graduated in 1975 with a degree in social studies/history education. He was recruited directly out of college by the Procter and Gamble corporation, where he worked in management and international logistics from 1976-1995. Upon taking early retirement, Wade returned to ECU and received his masters degree in Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology in 1997. Not content to stop there, he went on to pursue a doctorate in history at the University of Alabama under the tutelage of Dr. John Beeler, finishing his dissertation on the British blockade of the Atlantic coast of the United States during the War of 1812 in record time and graduating in 1999. That dissertation was revised, edited, and published by the Naval Institute Press in 2003 under the title Splintering the Wooden Wall: The British Blockade of the United States, 1812-1815, which garnered him the John Lyman Book Award from the North American Society for Oceanic History (NASOH) for best book in United States Maritime History.

​Upon completing his doctoral work, Wade once again returned to eastern North Carolina and ECU in 1999 – this time as a teaching professor specializing in naval and North Carolina history. In was in this role as teacher and mentor to young scholars that he found his true calling in life and he quickly became the heart and soul of ECU’s History Department. Wade was intensely passionate about history and about molding budding historians. Those passions came through in the classroom via his humorous, energetic, and engaging teaching style that both enlightened and entertained ECU students for two decades. With little patience for slackers, he was tough but fair; demanding nothing more than excellence from his students and consistently pushing them to do and be better as students, scholars, and human beings. Yet, even as his high standards led to numerous sleepless nights for hundreds of his students over the years, it was his heart that ultimately shined through it all. His magnanimity, loyalty, and kindness earned him the undying love and respect of nearly all who sat in his classrooms.

​Wade’s care for his students went beyond his own classroom, however. He diligently and proudly served as the advisor to ECU’s chapter of the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society for the duration of his tenure at the institution. He took over a chapter in disarray in 1999 and through tireless effort led it to become one of the most decorated chapters in the organization’s long history, receiving Chapter of the Year Award an unprecedented ten years in a row, from 2010 to his retirement from ECU in 2020. Wade especially cherished his Phi Alpha Theta members and took too many under his wing over the years to count. He took it upon himself to help guide them not only through their studies but beyond into successful careers as historians, educators, anthropologists, archaeologists, museum directors, and more by way of his sage guidance, fatherly encouragement, and usually a few well-crafted letters of recommendation.

​Despite tireless dedication to his students and Phi Alpha Theta, Wade did find the time to continue his own scholarly endeavors. Ever a fan of the swashbucklers of the Age of Sail, he published a biography of Sir Francis Drake, Drake: For God, Queen, and Plunder, in 2003. He also authored and curated several collections of historic photos – Historic Photos of Wilmington, Historic Photos of Winston-Salem, and Historic Photos of North Carolina – all published in 2008 by Tennessee’s Turner Publishing. To these solo monographs he added numerous published articles, including “Lost Opportunity: The Battle of the Chesapeake Capes” in the October 2006 issue of the journal Naval History, “Sir Francis Drake: Pirate to Admiral” in the June 2009 issue of the journal Military History, chapters on naval history in the edited works Naval Blockades and Seapower: Strategies and Counter-strategies, 1805-2005 and U.S. Navy: A Complete History, as well as entries in the Encyclopedia of the American Revolution. He was also deeply fascinated by alternative history and contributed speculative works to several anthologies, including Third Reich Victorious: Alternate Decisions of World War II, Hi**er Triumphant: Alternate Decisions of World War II, and Dixie Victorious: An Alternative History of the Civil War.

​The only thing Wade loved more than history and his students was his wife, Sue Dudley, his sons, Bill and Glen, and his beloved dachshunds – first Max and Fritz and later Dutch and Maverick. Wade met Sue as an undergrad at ECU, was instantly smitten by her beauty and feisty New Jersey attitude, and his love for her never diminished even after over forty years of marriage, two kids, and three grandkids. The way his eyes lit up when he talked about her, which he did often, was magical and a more dedicated and devoted husband and father is seldom found in this lifetime.

​His other pleasures in life included his love for literature, especially classic sci-fi and apocalyptic fiction, particularly of the zombie variety. Wade taught himself to speed read as a young man and he voraciously consumed books at the rate of three to five a week. He was seldom seen on ECU campus without his cherished Kindle in his hand as he tried to sneak in a chapter or two between classes. He even planned to pursue publication of his own tales of such ilk during his well-earned retirement. Also an avid board gamer, he enthusiastically led the Phi Alpha Theta Historical Simulations Club in thousands of hours of intense gaming sessions where his viciousness as a competitor was matched and countered by his good-natured charm and sportsmanship.

Dr. Wade Dudley was truly an asset to North Carolina as a scholar, teacher, and human being. His name and memory will echo down the halls of the Brewster Building at East Carolina University for years to come as the mark he left there will certainly not fade any time soon. Hundreds, if not thousands, of men and women spread out across the country and beyond owe much credit for where they are today to the faith, dedication, and encouragement that Dr. D provided them as they navigated the pitfalls of school and the early stages of their chosen careers. To so many he was not merely another professor, but a trusted friend and confidant. The mark of a great man is in the legacy he leaves through the memories of those whose lives he touched. The pursuit of immortality is one of the three Drivers of Humanity, one of close to two dozen Elements of Historical Theory that Wade developed, adapted, and taught his students over the years. This pursuit, always Sisyphean, inspires humanity to all sorts of endeavors to ensure their memory will remain long after their mortal coil has returned to dust. Rest well, Dr. D. Your immortality is secure.

Happy Graduation and a Fond Farewell

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Lambda-Eta Chapter: It is with great emotion that I make my final entry into this site. There are still a few things to do (transitions, assisting with planning for F2020, emptying my office, etc.), but the fishing gear is ready . . . .

To each of you completing this step of your journey through life, I wish you the best in the future. Work hard, continue to learn, and always consider others as you apply the lessons of History to daily life. I promise: Give your best, set a fast pace, and smile frequently -- you will inspire others to do the same and can rest content when your journey finally ends.

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to advise the merry band of Lambda-Eta members across the last 15 or so years. You have excelled in scholarship (I long ago lost track of your numerous award winning presentations and publications), built life-long relationships (seriously,several marriages among officers, others among members; and lots of great friendships, especially among the gamers, still abound), and had fun along the way -- lots of fun! As my mind flits through a zillion memories as I type this, I am certain of one thing: You have inspired me far more than I have inspired you!

So, with sadness on my face (you can verify that by glancing at the pic -- that is as sad as I can get with the excitement of a new career ahead of me), I say goodbye to each of you (but do feel free to give me a holler if I may ever be of service: once my student, always my student!). One final thought: You are the best chapter in the Society: You have won TEN Chapter of the Year Awards in a row; I expect to see that record extended!!!! Officers and returning members: Make it happen!

Lambda-Eta INDUCTION 2020

Sadly, our induction of new members suffered cancellation due to COVID-19. Let us take a moment to recognize the newest members of Phi Alpha Theta:

Undergraduate: Rebecca Nicole Andrews; Jacob Alexander Blizzard; Kaleah Braswell; Rachel Delaney Kearney; Matthew Ryan Lowe; Caleb Brian Minchew; Justin Blythe Mullis; Brianne Snyder; Evelyn Tovar;

Graduate: Amber Lynn Cabading; Jacquelyn Carli Hewett; Montana Darby Robbins; Andrea Yoxsimer; Trenton Michael Zylstra

Graduate Transfers: Patrick James Boyle (Alpha-Nu-Omicron, Aurora University, Aurora, IL); Goad, Andrew Gene (Phi-Psi, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO)

Faculty: Helen Marie Dixon; Jennifer A. Daugherty

Though we missed the pleasure of our usual ceremony, we still have the joy of knowing that you are our fellows in this great honor society!

It seems as if there should be more for 2019/2020: A number of activities are missing (the Lambda-Eta Historian has more pics, but we seem to find ourselves isolated; and then there is that virus-thingee): various Fall activities, National Conference pics, and let's not forget the cancellation of all March and April events (two business meetings with scheduled speakers, our Induction Ceremony, the Regional Conference, a officer planning session, and ECU and departmental graduations -- there may have even been a retirement event . . . .

So it goes. I have had the absolute pleasure of advising the Lambda-Eta Chapter for some 15 years. I have watched as our leaders and scholars earned 10 consecutive Chapter of the Year awards; published numerous reviews, articles, and even a book or five as they strove to earn MAs and PhDs at various institutions; found great jobs; married and began the eternal task of raising a new generation of Lambda-Eta members. The friendships I have made, especially those throughout the Carolinas Region and at the National Office, will be with me as long as I stumble across this earth. I also need to mention my wife, Susan, who has hosted so many of you at our home, shook your hands at various conferences, and been (except for the history degree part) a valued member of this chapter as long as I. Last, but certainly not least, the original Lambda-Eta Doxies, Fritz and Max, always barked you into the house, as do their replacements, Dutch and Maverick.

I will post at least once more, in early May, to verify the transition to a new advisor. Until then: be safe, smile frequently, and stay healthy. -- Dr. Wade Dudley (AKA Dr. D)