Faculty talk to consider 'Delaware's Role in Shaping American Life'

10:50 a.m., April 18, 2011--The University of Delaware Library Associates has announced that the 2011 Annual Faculty Lecture, entitled “The First State and the Nation: Delaware’s Role in Shaping American Life, 1899-2010,” will be delivered by Jonathan Russ, associate professor of history at UD. The lecture will be held on Thursday, May 12, at 4:30 p.m., in the Reserve Room of the Morris Library.

Despite its relatively small size, Delaware has played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s social, political and economic landscape observed Russ, who will share his reflections on Delaware and its influence in American life.

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June 5: Blue Hen 5K

University of Delaware graduates planning to attend Alumni Weekend are encouraged to register for the annual Blue Hen 5K walk and run, which will be held Sunday morning, June 5.

June 6-9: Food and culture series

The 20th annual June Lecture Series at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UD in Wilmington will be held June 6-9. Titled 'June a la Carte,' this year's program focuses on great political documents, feminism, world politics and a Newark cuisine sampler.

• June 6-9: Food and culture series
• Through June 30: 'Saving White Clay Creek'
• July 22: WWE Heatwave Tour
• Through Sept. 16: Women of color in academia

A reception for program attendees will follow also in the Reserve Room after Russ’ presentation. Interested individuals may request a printed invitation by calling the Office of the Vice Provost at 302-831-2231 or by sending an email to UDLA@udel.edu.

An online version of the invitation is available in PDF format. The program is open to the UD community and to the public.

Russ received his bachelor of arts degree from Colby College, and his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Delaware. He specializes in the histories of Delaware and modern American business. His publications include Global Motivations: Honda, Toyota, and the Drive Toward American Manufacturing (2009) and Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor (1999) in addition to articles on the histories of Delaware and U.S. business. 

He regularly teaches courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in United States history, the history of Delaware and the history of business. Russ has been a member of the University of Delaware Library Associates since 2000. He was awarded memberships in the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Russ received a UD General University Research Grant in 2003 and the 2004 Excellence in Teaching Award. He has served on the board of editors for the Delaware History magazine from 2003 to the present and is currently its editor-in-chief. He is chair of the Publications Committee of the Delaware Heritage Commission and a member of the Educational Advisory Board of the Delaware State Agricultural Museum.

In addition, Russ is a member of the Delaware Heritage Commission, the Business History Conference, the Economic and Business Historical Society, the Delaware Historical Society, the Hagley Museum and Library, the American Historical Association; the Organization of American Historians, the American Association of State and Local History, and the Newark Historical Society.

Acceptances for this program may be sent via email to libraryrsvp@winsor.lib.udel.edu or by telephone to 302-831-2231.