Alumni

The right MA program can make a difference. Our program is distinguished by its selectivity, its small class sizes, outstanding faculty, and flexibility, which enables both part-time and full-time students to succeed. Our graduates(for those whose current position we have on record, please see below) have earned placements across the country in government, law, museums, libraries, teaching positions, and advanced study at the PhD level.

"Eastern's professors are excellent role models for those of us just entering the world of teaching in the college setting. Class topics are very interesting and presented in a relaxed setting, allowing for personal discusssion and hands-on help in research."

-Michael Sparks (2007), Assistant Professor of History, Ivy Tech, Indianapolis, IN.

"The time I spent in the graduate history program at EIU was valuable. The professors are dedicated and the class discussions engaging. I was challenged to think about history in a new way. The research skills that I learned greatly helped me with future studies and my current job. I highly recommend the program."

-Amanda Standerfer (1997), Director, Helen Matthes Public Library, Effingham, IL.

"History came alive for me, and I found myself thinking and discussing issues brought forth in classes long after class had ended, and even long after I graduated. I was supported but held to rigorous standards. I was guided but encouraged to think on my own two feet."

-Mary Barford (2006), PhD Candidate, Purdue University.

 

M.A. in History (year of graduation) employment

 

2005-Present

  • Patrick Harris (2008) PhD Candidate, History, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
  • James Hysell (2008) Adjunct Professor, Purdue University Westville, Westville, IN
  • Rachel Kleinschmidt (2008) PhD Candidate, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
  • Krishna I. Thomas (2008) Accepted to Ed.D. (Doctorate in Education), University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
  • Jeff D. Corrigan (2007) Oral Historian, Missouri State Historical Society, Columbia, MO
  • Michael Sparks(2007) Assistant Professor, Ivy Tech, Indianapolis, IN
  • Kyle Osbourne (2007) High School Teacher, Villa Grove, IL
  • Matthew S. Berry(2007) Infrastructure Analyst and Modeler, Argonne National Laboratory, Argone, IL
  • Nicholas Mariner (2007) PhD Candidate, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
  • Ryan Ervin (2006) High School Teacher, Newton Community High School, Newton, IL
  • Nicole Hurley Gardner (2006) Postdoc, Washington University Law School, St. Louis, MO
  • Justin Thomas (2006) Instructor, Lakeland Community College, Mattoon, IL
  • Mary Barford (2006) PhD Candidate, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
  • Andrew Roling (2006) Research Specialist, Papers of Abraham Lincoln, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
  • Josh Fulton (2005) Adjunct Instructor, History, Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL & St. Francis University Joilet, IL
  • Dan Grooms (2005) Library Technician, Midwestern University, Donners Grove, IL 

 

2000-2004

  • Jennifer Lancaster (2004) Adjunct (Part-time) Instructor, Lake Land Community College, Mattoon, IL
  • Jason Wagoner (2004) Sponsored Research Coordinator, Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Administration, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
  • Michael J. Weitl, (2004) Customer Representative, Social Security Administration, Effingham, IL
  • Richard J. Hansen (2003) Teacher, US History & Government, Mt. Zion High School, Mt. Zion, IL
  • Aaron Osborne (2003) History and Social Studies teacher, Lewis Angapak Memorial School, Tuntutuliak, AK
  • Herb Meeker (2003) Reporter, Charleston Times-Courier, Charleston, IL
  • Mirjam Mueller (2002) PhD Student, International Relations, University of Innsbruck, Austria
  • Christopher Bailey (2002) PhD Student, History, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  • Clinton Seybold (2002) Commander, National Guard Unit B/2-130IN, Effingham, IL
  • David Lyons (2002) Teacher Certification Program, Aurora University, Aurora, IL
  • Jenny Crider (2000) Civilian Historian for the U.S. Air Force, Randolf AFB, San Antonio, TX
  • Erik Hockenberry (2001) Financial Advisor, American Express, St. Louis, MO
  • John Staab (2004) History Teacher, Champaign Central High School, Champaign, IL
  • Nicole Klingler (2004) Administrative Assistant, Transtar Corporation, St. Louis, MO
  • Barry Hudek (2001) MA canidate in English, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
  • Greg Landry (2001) Tutor, Herscher High School, IL
  • Jill Lauerman (2001) Readers' Advisory Coordinator at Poplar Creek Library in Streamwood, IL
  • Bradley R. Royle (2000) Major, U.S. Army, Fort Polk, LA

 

1995-1999

  • Gregory Aydt (1999) Academic Advisor, Eastern Illinois University, IL
  • Donna Baker (1997) MLS Graduate Student, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
  • Scott Beem (1997)
  • Ryan Blankenship (1996) Acquisitions Editor, McGraw-Hill, Glen Ellyn, IL
  • William Brooks (1995) Field Account Manager, T-Mobile USA, Houston, TX
  • Kristan Crawford (1995) Social Studies Teacher, Waubonsie Valley High School, Aurora, IL
  • Dan Crews (1997) Director of Publicity, College of Arts & Humanities, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
  • David A. Davis (1997) Teacher, Mt. Zion Junior High School, Mt. Zion, IL
  • Greg Decker (1997) Collection Maintenance Supervisor, Kelvin Smith Library, Cleveland, OH
  • Alex Dove (1997) Government/Education Sales Associate, CDW Computer Centers, Chicago, IL
  • Andreas D�r (1998) PhD Student, European University Institute, Florence, Italy
  • Mike Gaspic (1997) Computer Specialist, Ontario, Canada
  • Derrick Helmbacher (1998) Illinois Department of Transportation, IL
  • Jeffrey Kampfl (1998, Texas A & M, Underwater Archaeology, ABD), Illnois Central College, East Peoria, IL
  • Travis McDade (1998) Law Student, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
  • John Naese (1996) Probation Officer, Champaign County probation and court services, IL
  • Julie Proscia (1998) Law Student, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
  • Major Steven D. Rosson (1997) Intelligence Officer, U.S. Army National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA
  • Susan Roth Breitzer (1995) PhD Student, History, University of Iowa, IA
  • David Seiler (1996) Instructor, Lakeland Community College, Mattoon, IL
  • Amanda Standerfer (1997) Library Director, Helen Matthes Public Library, Effingham, IL; Adjunct Instructor, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL
  • Daniel Steineman (1996) Topographical Surveyor, Army Corps of Engineers, Ft. Hood, TX
  • Chris Strangeman (1997) PhD student, Historical Studies, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
  • Chris Sundheim (1996) Journalist, National Desk, Associated Press, New York City, NY
  • Deron Walker(1995, PhD, Education, Southern Illinois University 2004) Assistant Professor, Dept. of Modern Languages & Literature, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA
  • Bryan Wuthrich (1999) PhD Student ABD, Historical Studies, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL; Instructor, Sante Fe Community College, Gainesville, FL
  • Missy Wright (1996) Senate Republican Staff, Springfield, IL

 

1990-1994

  • Kim Bauer (1991) Historical Research Specialist, Historical Library, Historic Preservation Agency, Springfield, IL
  • Tom Becker (1991) Community Planner, Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Springfield, IL
  • Brian Bowen (1993) Tour organizer, Galaxy Tours, Bloomington, IL
  • David Denton (1991) Social Science Instructor, Olney Community College, IL
  • John Craig (1994) Teacher, Casa Grande, AZ
  • Eva Dragosits (1992, MA "Intercultural Competencies," Danube University Krems, 2005) Instructur, University of Applied Sciences, Steyr; English teacher, companies near Linz, Upper Austria
  • Matt Greider (1994) History Instructor, Lake Land Community College, Mattoon, IL
  • Bruce Janu (1991) Teacher, John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights, IL
  • Tom Kerschner (1994) Program Coordinator: The Great Books Foundation, Chicago, IL
  • Connie McCammon (1991) Publications Manager, Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN
  • Vernon "Bo" McGuffee (1994) Interim Associate Pastor at the Second Congregational United Church of Christ Rockford, IL
  • Eva Pfanzelter (1994) Lecturer and program coordinator, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
  • Diana Pointer (1992) Education Specialist, Carle Clinic, Urbana, IL
  • Doug Quivey (1991) Trial Lawyer, Urbana, IL
  • Mark Schmeltzer (1994) Chicago, IL
  • Rev. Karl Strenge (1994) Pastor, Redemption Lutheran Church, Battle Creek, MI
  • Rev. Guy R. Usher, Jr. (1994) Eau Claire, WI
  • James Winker (1991) History and Government High School Teacher, Freeport, IL

 

Pre-1990

  • Klaus Grillmaier (1989) Global Marketing and Sales IT Manager, E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE
  • Andrea Friedman (1979) Director, Nebraska State Library, Lincoln, NE
  • John Scott Parkinson (1988; Ph.D., History, 1998, Miami University of Ohio)
  • Richard Morton (1975, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Associate Professor of History, Clark Atlanta University, GA
  • Hans Rudolf Velten (1985; Ph.D., 1994, J. W. Goethe-Universität Frankfurt) Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institut für ältere deutsche Literatur, Germany
  • Martin Elzy (1969, Ph.D., Miami University of Ohio) Associate Director (retired), Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, Atlanta, GA
  • Calvin F. Heide (1980) US Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, Operations Officer, White Sands Resident Office, 902d Military Intelligence Group, White Sands Missile Range, NM
  • Franklin Delaine Donaldson (1966) History Teacher (retired), Effingham High School, Effingham, IL

(We need assistance locating our older graduates: please contact us, if you have information regarding such