UNF Department of History

Another piece from Dr. Romero:

Philly hosting the World Cup is just the latest chapter in soccer’s American immigrant story | Opinion In 1930, the United States men’s soccer team, composed mostly of immigrants and working-class amateurs from Northeastern migrant communities, reached the semifinals of the World Cup in Uruguay.

Dr. E. Kyle Romero has an article out in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the history of distilling.

"By placing Bluecoat Gin or Pennsylvania rye within longer histories of slavery and freedom, immigration, labor, taxation, regulation, agriculture and urban redevelopment, historians can show that “local” alcohol was never just local color. It was produced through struggles over belonging."

Craft distilleries can help Philadelphians learn their complicated history By placing Bluecoat Gin or Pennsylvania rye within histories of freedom, immigration, labor, taxation and urban redevelopment, historians can show that “local” alcohol was never just local color.

https://www.facebook.com/unfalumni/posts/pfbid037isp63ZuSd3YFAMCiw9VYXLNWEnDphyYXmPfDeu8QomC37nMpiuDh2BBwotnDbLSl?rdid=KTh7T4ghnalCI74z #

Visualizing Indigenous Florida, a project led by Dr. Denise Bossy and Dr. Keith Ashley continues to garner significant national interest. One of the artists, Jeremy Thompson, was recently featured in First American Art Magazine. In the linked article he discusses the project in some detail.

https://firstamerican.art/chris-and-jeremy-thompson/

Congratulations to the class of 2026! To celebrate today's milestone for our students, we dug into the archives of our faculty at their own graduations.

The Department of History wishes you all the best in your future endeavors. Stay in touch with us as you SOAR into the world!

Three cheers for our amazing, departmental awards students!

Best Undergrad Paper: Iris Hayden, "Protecting the River of Grass: The Everglades Jetport and a Resilient South Florida Environmental Movement"

Best Grad Paper: Aiden Jones, “Working the Water: A Microhistory of the Mayport Shrimp Industry.”

Outstanding Undergraduates: Nikki Brew & Anna Hobbs

Outstanding Grad Student: Aiden Jones

Dr. Carolyn Williams Research Award: Aiden Jones & Hudson Main

Travis R. Bates Memorial History Scholarship: Poppy Aland, Lydia Lane, & Ava Banks

Jonathan Rockey Prize*: Aiden Jones, “Modern Monster Hunters: Cryptozoology, Culture, and Environmentalism in the Twentieth Century United States.”

Allen Lastinger Prize for Best Florida Paper: Avery Parker (University of Florida), “Starving in Eden: Poverty in Alachua County, 1865-1877”

*Special note: This was the first year awarding the Jonathan Rockey Prize, named for one of our graduate students who passed in fall. Jonathan was president of our Phi Alpha Theta chapter, and the award honors the best paper presented on a non-Florida topic at the Northeast Florida History Conference, which our chapter of PAT runs every year.

Our second M.A. defense of spring 2026 was Daniel Malzahn, who successfully defended his paper, “Evolution of N**i Propaganda, 1942-1943.”

Daniel is pictured here giving his defense presentation for his committee: Drs. Charles Closmann (chair), David Sheffler, and Chau Kelly.

Congratulations, Daniel!

Our first M.A. defense of spring 2026 was Aiden Skye Jones, who successfully defended his paper, “Modern Monster Hunters: Cryptozoology, Culture, and Environmentalism in the Twentieth-Century United States.”

Aiden is pictured with his committee (L to R): Drs. Jillian McClure, Chau Kelly (chair), and Felicia Bevel. His cheering squad (Josh Welch, Garion Ray, and Hudson Main) showed their support in their cryptid-themed Hawaiian shirts.

Congratulations, Aiden!

Congratulations to Dr. Felicia Bevel for the publication of her essay, "Staging the In*******al Left: Paul Robeson, Black Artistry, and the International Workers Order" in From Popular Front to Cold War: The In*******al Left and the International Workers Order, 1930-1954.

You can read more about the edited collection and obtain a copy here:
https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501785177/from-popular-front-to-cold-war/ =1