I’ve been a professor in Catholic University’s Department of History for a long time (so long that I won’t say how many years!).  And in all that time, one of the most abiding things I’ve been thankful for is the spirit of the place: how we can all be serious about what we do, but humane and friendly and welcoming to all in our community.  Our undergraduate History majors are at the very heart of that: young women and men whom I’ve loved getting to know, to chat with in those random hallway and after-class conversations and the talks we have about their lives, their goals, and their future plans – all things that are possible mainly because of the human scale of our department and university.  I cherish that, and to me it makes our community a special one.

This newsletter to parents of our current History majors is a new venture.  Our intention for it is to foster a closer understanding of what we do, how we do it, and how we aim to orient all that to the better learning and wellbeing of our students. 

At past receptions on Commencement Day, when I was in an earlier tour of duty as Chair of the department, and later during my stint as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, one sentiment always crystallized my thoughts about ourselves and you.  And that is: thank you most profoundly for the inestimable honor you have given us by entrusting such a central part of the lives and development of your young people to us for four of their most formative years.  Above all, we would like you to know how much we strive to honor that trust.

In this newsletter you’ll find some reflections on key aspects of the History program, what it is, and where it can lead.  And my hope is that it might enrich and maybe inform your conversations with your students over holiday dinners, phone calls, and text messages home.  I'd particularly encourage you to talk with your History major about the discernment and planning we discuss in our "History Majors and Careers" article in this issue -- from thinking about minors and internships to attending our annual career events for our students.

I hope you’ll feel free to reach out to me personally with any questions or comments – what would you like to see in future issues of this newsletter, and how can we build even better relationships between us?

Larry Poos
Department Chair (2024 fall semester)
poos@cua.edu