ASU School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies

Today is Juneteenth, which marks the day more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were officially freed — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

Join us today as we celebrate freedom, resilience and Black history.

June is Immigrant Heritage Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the stories, experiences and contributions of immigrants who strengthen and enrich communities across the globe. 🌎🌟

Assistant Professor Jian Gao specializes in Chinese migration to the Americas, with particular focus on the interplay between transnational networks, migration, identity and emotions. He recently appeared on The Asia Center’s podcast to explore the intersection of immigration and ethnicity in the U.S.
Center for Asian Research-Arizona State University

Watch the full episode: https://ow.ly/Jr5x50ZbWf6

Today marks 20 years since Associate Clinical Professor Victoria Jackson won an NCAA national title in the 10,000-meter run for Sun Devil Athletics — all while pursuing her PhD in history. 🏃‍♀️🎓

Jackson helped ASU become the second university to earn NCAA trophies in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field during the 2005–2006 academic year. 🏆🏆🏆

In recognition of her athletic and academic success, Jackson was named the 2006 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

After competing professionally for Nike, she returned to ASU to complete her degree and join the history faculty, where she now helps students explore the intersections of sport and society in her sports history courses and as co-director of ASU's Great Game Lab.

Arizona State Sun Devils, Sun Devil Track & Field/Cross Country

Eighty-two years ago today, General Dwight D. Eisenhower led the Allied armies in invading the beaches of Normandy, on D-Day. This historic World War II victory turned the tides against the Axis powers, creating the Allies’ path to victory, which would be realized 11 months later.

Eisenhower’s historic address to his troops before their descent into France is commemorated at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial in Washington, D.C., which our students had the opportunity to visit during this spring’s Monuments and Memory in WWII course. 🏛️

The course explored how physical reminders create collective memory and connect nations, former allies, communities and individuals.

A degree from the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies helps students succeed in any career venture, preparing them to make a meaningful impact in their communities.💡

Liam King, a 2024 graduate with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and biological sciences, is beginning medical school this July after working as an onsite medical representative for Amazon. By combining scientific expertise with critical thinking, empathy and an understanding of varied perspectives, he is equipped to provide compassionate, patient-centered care in his future as a physician. 🥼

Swipe to learn more about how SHPRS played a part in his journey! ➡️

📣 Calling all SHPRS students and recent graduates! 📣

Do you have a research project you’re passionate about and want to share? Submit a proposal for the 2026 SHPRS Poster Session with Public History at ASU, held during Humanities Week.

This event is an opportunity to showcase your original work, build professional presentation experience and jumpstart the process of creating a poster or paper presentation for regional and national conferences. 🤩

Completed posters aren’t required for a proposal — if accepted, you’ll receive support to develop a poster highlighting your research.

Proposals are due August 25. Learn more: https://ow.ly/Ey2850Z4Sxw

On Memorial Day, we thank those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country. We take this day to remember and honor their bravery. 🇺🇸

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! 🌺

We take this time to honor the histories, cultures and contributions of AAPI communities across our nation. At the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, we celebrate the diverse perspectives and experiences that strengthen our communities and deepen our understanding of the world. 🌟

This Jewish American Heritage Month, we celebrate and reflect on the many ways Jewish Americans have built community, identity and belonging throughout U.S. history. While connections can often be found through education, arts, entertainment and science, sports fandoms also present a distinct understanding of what it means to be Jewish in America.

Being a fan is about more than watching games; it’s about the stories we tell about our teams, our communities and ourselves. This spring, Associate Teaching Professor Shawn Klein joined ASU Jewish Studies to explore what sports narratives might say about American Jewish identity with the first installment of his “Jews and Sports” lecture series.

Watch this video, along with the full series, here: https://ow.ly/6aUB50Z2S6l

Class of 2026, we want to know your next steps!

If you graduated this spring, we invite you to complete the First Destination Survey and share your future plans — whether that includes employment, graduate school, continuing education or other pursuits. Your response will help us better understand student outcomes, strengthen programs and connect future students with meaningful opportunities. ✨

Complete the survey today: https://ow.ly/8tyV50Z2qKN