What History Majors Are Doing Now
What do our history graduates do after leaving Truman? Here is a partial listing. Please send additions, corrections, and updates to history@truman.edu.
1971-1980
Gary Bounds (MA, 1973). Briefly I attended NMSU through the Army’s Advanced Degree Program and taught ROTC at NMSU 1973-1975. History related assignments after that included Head of the Research Committee/Instructor of the Combat Studies Institute at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and Chief, Research and Analysis, Army Center of Military History, Washington, DC. I retired from the Army in 1990 as Chief of Army Doctrine, Headquarters, Department of the Army in the Pentagon. I retained that position for 12 years as a civil service employee and currently am a contract employee working as a doctrine analyst and living in Lawton, Oklahoma. I travel extensively in association with my job, having visited many of the countries in Europe and the Middle East. My wife and I love to travel and would be interested in trips. Ireland is next on our list for the two of us. My work trips tentatively scheduled for 2009 are Greece, Germany, Belgium and for 2010 Spain, Czech Republic, and Belgium, 2011 Estonia, Turkey, and Belgium.
Roger Boyd (BA 1973) graduated from NMSU/Truman with a degree in history. I later returned and picked up a major in Sociology/Anthropology. I later went to UMC in Archaeology/Anthropology and returned to NMSU for five years and worked on various archaeology projects. I also worked through the Regional Planning Commission on various archaeology and historic architectural projects. I was the Site Administrator at the Civil War Battle of Athens State Historic Site and also simultaneously administered the Illiniwek Village State Historic Site, both in Clark County. I retired from Division of State Parks/DNR in October of 2008. Since then, I and my wife Susan have resided in Hermitage, near Lake Pomme de Terre (Missouri). We have four children, all grown with families (three grandchildren!), two in Texas and one near Lebanon and one here in Hermitage. I work as I want to as an archaeological consultant and substitute teacher and fish when I can. We can be reached at boyd590@centurytel.net.
William T. Cox (BS, Education, 1972; MA, Secondary School Administration, 1980; MA, Secondary School Guidance & Counseling, 1990). I recently retired from the Ottumwa Community School System in June of 2007 with 35 years of service, most recently with 15 years teaching U.S. history at Ottumwa High School.
Roger Dorson (BS, Education, 1972; MA 1977). He taught various history courses for ten years at Macon. He received an M.A. in secondary school administration from NMSU in 1977 and an Ed.D from the University of Missouri in 1982. He was high school principal at Princeton, Mo. for one year and then superintendent for 3 years. He moved to Salisbury Mo. where he was superintendent for 18 years. He is currently the coordinator of school administrative services at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary education.
Dennis Hohn (BS, Education, 1967; MA, 1973). I taught in the Ottumwa, Iowa, school system for one year and then was reclassified 1A by the local draft board. I enlisted in the US Army Security Agency and spent four years (26 months) on Southeastern Germany listening to the Czechs from a mountain top on the border. It was a great experience. I returned to Ottumwa to teach two more years, and then got into the investment business. I have been a partner with Edward Jones & Co. for over 30 years. My wife, Susie, is a retired X-Ray technologist. We have five children and seven grandchildren. The order is for eight more. We will see.
Denny Hollingsworth (BS, Education, 1973). In protest of the university’s newest name, I like to tell folks I graduated from Kirksville State College (it was then NMSU) in 1973. I still wonder how I managed to out maneuver the late, great Ruth Towne and end up on the alumnus side of the finish line. One for the history books!
After looking at the department’s website, I think your faculty associates probably double the number we had back in those Dark Ages (I’ll use that term since historians have abandoned it). Nice hearing from the school’s history department chairman. The last time I did was probably more than 35 years ago and I distinctly remember Dr. Kohlenberg saying something to the effect of, “Dennis, this paper doesn’t quite meet the normal standard. Let’s try it again.” Anyway, my best wishes to you and yours for our coming holiday season. Remember, treat your students well, they’re the reason y’all are there.
Janis (Allison) Keough (BS, Education, 1975). Since I graduated from NMSU in 1975, I have earned an MA in political science from Northern Illinois University, worked on a PhD at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and got a “real” job with The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (a private publisher) in DC when I ran out of money. I am still employed by BNA (coming up on my 30th anniversary there), but am now telecommuting from Kirksville. I would love to go back to school, even if just to audit classes.
Marcia Lushbaugh (BS, Education, 1971). Thank you for continuing to send alumni information. It’s been a long time since I graduated from Truman, and yet it is nice to keep up with at least some changes. I look forward to hearing again from Truman.
Charles Metternich (BS, Education, 1969; MA, 1972). Charles graduated in 1969 and completed an MA in 1972. He taught high school in Bowling Green, Missouri, and Quincy, Illinois. He is now living in Canton, Missouri, and is nearing retirement. He has been a Civil War re-enactor for 19 years and is a member of the Tri-State Civil War Roundtable; the Missouri Civil War Foundation; the Civil War Preservation Trust; the Board of Directors of the Friends of Athens; and is Junior Vice Commander of David Moore Camp #70, Sons of Union Veterans.
William Misiewicz (BS, Education, 1980). Since my graduation in 1980, I have developed a teaching career in social studies. I taught in LaPlata from 82-84 and since 1984 in Clinton, Iowa, at the high school. I have taught American/World history and have developed two electives, Criminal Justice and Cultural Diversity. I also founded the History Club and have used my Civil War re-enactment skills as living history. For over ten years we hosted area schools in a large Civil War encampment with over 100 participants and well over 300 students.
I received my MA in Education Administration from Western Illinois University in 1999.
My daughter graduated from Northern Iowa with a teaching degree in December 2008. My son is currently a sophomore at Truman State majoring in Social Communications and is on the men’s basketball team. I was also a member of the men’s basketball team from 1978-1980.
Cindy O’Donnell (BS, Education, 1978). I was pleased to get your letter. I am in my 30th year of teaching, the last 26 at Orchard Farm Middle School in St. Charles, Mo. I have taught both reading and history classes. I am really interested in the Study Abroad programs for alumni. My husband and I love to travel and as we begin to think about retiring, we have considered traveling in Europe, etc. I think one week to 10 days would be great. Also Greece, Italy, Ireland, mostly places in Europe interest us.
Gail Sponaugle (MA, 1979). In 2005 I retired after 32 years of teaching high school social studies. At present, I work part time in a retail setting and look after my mother who resides in a nursing home near me. I earned my master’s degree from Northeast during summers away from teaching. So, I don’t have any close relationships with fellow students from that time. But, I am happy to receive general updates about the department and the university. I will definitely check out the history website.
Aneta Louise Stanley (BS, Education, 1974). I taught for 31 years at Jefferson Junior High, 8th grade Social Studies in Columbia, MO. I received the Secondary Educator of the Year Award by the Columbia Community Teachers Association in May 2008. I retired in June 2008.
Karen Gail (Wilson) Tate (BS, Education, 1972). Thank you so much for your letter. I was touched to hear from someone at the school. I do have many great memories of my time at Kirksville. I will connect with you when I can chat more.
Glenda Terrill (BS, Education, 1973). Thank you for the information. This is exciting news, I look forward to the newsletters. My years at Truman (NEMSU) were among the best in my life. I received a wonderful education and made many life-long friends.
James A. Watson (BS, Education, 1976). Mayor of Clarence, Missouri. President of the Shelby County Democrat Club. Volunteer Office Manager, NBC Works L.L.C., 22nd District Democratic Legislative Committee, Moberly, Missouri.