Samford University’s Department of History hosted the Phi Alpha Theta honor society’s 2022 Alabama Regional History Conference in February. Samford history professor and Samford Phi Alpha Theta chapter advisor Anthony Minnema noted that Samford students have been well-represented at previous conferences at other universities in the state, and have won several prizes for their research papers. As the host institution this year, the department especially encouraged history majors and minors to take advantage of the opportunity to hone public speaking skills and present their work in a professional environment. Samford students Mary Blake Brock and Max Lattermann were among the 16 students who presented their research at the event.
Historian Tim Hall, dean of Samford’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences, opened the event with a welcome and a reminder of the value and need for historical reflection.
Samford history alumna Alex Colvin presented the conference keynote address: “My Journey through Alabama History.”
Phi Alpha Theta national president Jonathan Perry also attended the conference, and praised Samford’s hospitality and the high quality of the event.