History Mission Statement of the History Department Consonant with the mission of Saint Peter’s University, the Department of History seeks to develop the whole person in preparation for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service to others in a diverse and global society. The study of history extends the mission of the University by preparing students to participate knowledgeably in this society by exposing them to the myriad and varying cultures of the human past.
One Student’s Story “When I came to Saint Peter’s I knew I wanted to major in history, but I didn’t have a clear understanding of what I could do with it. Throughout my four years of taking history classes, I learned how to find reliable sources, how to fact check everything, how to read and write to the best of my abilities, and much more. I also realized that there is no one thing you can do with a history degree. With my degree in history, I was able to join the museum education team at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. I still use everything I learned in my classes and really feel that if I didn’t get my Bachelor’s in history, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work in this amazing place.”
Todd Foster ’17, History major and Secondary Education minor, checks out one of the books at the annual department Book Fair & Bake Off.
– Chayanne Hyde ’17, Museum Educator at the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum in Manhattan
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The O’Reilly Family Scholarship is a partial scholarship established in 1990 and is awarded to designated History majors with a concentration in American History.
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During their four years, students will participate in the Platt research seminar which introduces them to primary and secondary sources, as well as historical research methods. In the first semester of senior year, majors must take part in the Tuleja capstone seminar, during which students are expected to produce a significant research paper.
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Inaugurated in 2017, the Jerome Gillen (’66) Summer Internship Program is a paid program which gives students the opportunity to work in a local New Jersey archive or museum where they will gain first-hand experiences working with historical archival materials. The internship is named for Dr. Jerome Gillen, who dedicated many years of service to the University and History department. Additionally, the department helps students secure internship opportunities in various cultural, government, academic, and business institutions throughout the tri-state area to give them a glimpse into the numerous career opportunities available to History majors. In the past, majors have interned at the Charles F. Cummings New Jersey Information Center at the Newark Public Library, The New Jersey Room at the Jersey City Public Library, the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, and the New-York Historical Society to name a few.
For course descriptions and additional information visit
www.saintpeters.edu/academics 11/21
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The Sawczuk Conference affords those who practice history (faculty and students alike) a forum consisting of the campus community and invited guests to present their research. The conference is named in honor of Konstantyn Sawczuk (’56), who as department chairman, instituted the conference as an annual event.
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The John T. Coughlin History Club is an academic student organization open to any student of the University with an interest in history and the desire to promote the study of history and discussion of historical questions at Saint Peter’s University. Named after a late, long-time professor of the University, the club’s mission is to arouse interest in and promote a respect for the study of history. The club’s main efforts include exposing the student body to moments of historical significance through movie nights and local excursions.
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Phi Alpha Theta, The National History Honor Society (Pi-Pi Chapter) has been active at Saint Peter’s University since the spring of 1970. The society aims at gathering Honors students, both majors and minors, and their professors in projects to foster historical research, presentation, and publication.
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The Department sponsors several awards for outstanding student achievement, including the Konstantyn Sawczuk (’56) Award, the Rev. John F. Wrynn, S.J. Award, and the Cappelluti Medal.