Gene Cruz-Uribe

Indiana University East School of Humanities and Social Sciences will begin a new Community Engagement Series this fall. The series begins this September and will feature a wide variety of topics presented by faculty.

Presentations will be held in various locations throughout the community. All presentations begin with a reception at 5:15 p.m. followed by the lecture at 6 p.m. The presentations are free and open to the public.

The Community Engagement Series kicks off on Wednesday, September 23, at the Wayne County Historical Museum, 1150 N. A St., Richmond, Ind.

Daron Olson, assistant professor of history, and Gene Cruz-Uribe, professor of history, will present “Mummies and Vikings: A Journey through World History.” Cruz-Uribe will discuss his research focusing on Egypt, specifically Demotic graffiti found at the temple of Isis. Olson will discuss several topics related to Norwegian and Norwegian-American history.

Daron Olson

Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Ross Alexander said, “HSS is proud to launch this community engagement series as a way to engage a wider, non-academic audience through the important, innovative, and intriguing research performed by our talented faculty members. Hopefully, community members will choose to attend all six presentations throughout the 2015-16 academic year, which will occur on campus and across several venues in Richmond/Wayne County, co-sponsored by various community partners.”

Cruz-Uribe received his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in Egyptology from the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago. He is the author of six books, over 60 articles and 40 book reviews dealing with all periods of Egyptian history and culture with an emphasis on the Demotic stage of the ancient Egyptian language and the history and religion of the Late Period in Egypt. He has conducted a number of field research projects in Egypt, working mainly in Kharga Oasis in the western desert, but throughout the Nile Valley including a long term project to record graffiti in the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. His most recent field work project is the recording of unpublished Demotic graffiti found at the temple of Isis at Philae Island (Aswan).

For the last 15 years he has been recording and translating ancient Egyptian graffiti for what they reveal about personal piety, late period religious practices and pilgrimage. He was the recipient of a Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship in 2007 to continue his studies in Egypt. In July 2008, he became the editor of the Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt, the principal journal for Egyptology research in the U.S.

Olson obtained an M.A. in History from the University of North Dakota and graduated with his Ph.D. in Historical Studies from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Olson’s research interests include Modern Norway and Norwegian emigration to the U.S. His theoretical focus includes transnationalism, nationalism, and identity. His book, Vikings across the Atlantic: Emigration and the Building of a Greater Norway, 1860-1945, was published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2013. He has traveled to Norway the past two years researching his next book on Norway’s nationalism while in exile during World War II.

For more information on the Community Engagement Series, contact the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at (765) 973-8484 or visit iue.edu/facultypresents.

Community Engagement Series Event Calendar
Receptions at 5:15 p.m.
Presentations at 6 p.m.

Mummies and Vikings: A Journey through World History
Wednesday, September 23
Wayne County Historical Museum, 1150 N. A St., Richmond
Presented by Professor of History Gene Cruz-Uribe and Assistant Professor of History Daron Olson

Making Sense of Madness: Campaigns & Elections in the Modern Era
Thursday, October 8
IU East, Whitewater Hall Community Room
Presented by School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Ross Alexander and Assistant Professor of Political Science Chera LaForge

English & American Literature: Connecting Important Authors and Their Works
Thursday, November 19
Morrisson-Reeves Library, Bard Room, 80 N. 6th St, Richmond
Presented by Professor of English Alisa Clapp-Itnyre and Assistant Professor of English Steven Petersheim

A Brave Conversation: Addressing End-of-Life Issues
Thursday, February 4
Reid Health, Lingle Auditorium, 1100 Reid Parkway, Richmond
Presented by Assistant Professor of Communication Studies Rosalie Aldrich and Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Humanities and Religious Studies Ange Cooksey

Contemporary Gangs: Culture, Crime, and Community
Thursday, March 24
Wayne County Council Chambers, 50 N. 5th St., Richmond
Presented by Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Mengie Parker and Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Stephanie Whitehead

International Service and Student Engagement
Thursday, April 14
IU East’s Room 912, 912 E. Main St., Richmond
Presented by Assistant Professor of World Languages and Cultures Dianne Moneypenny and Assistant Professor of Political Science Kristopher Rees