Save the Date:

The history department is pleased to announce that the Kragalott Lecture has been scheduled for Thursday, April 4, 2024.  Please save the date and watch for updated information.

The Howling Storm: Weather, Climate, and The American Civil War

Kenneth W Noe, Ph.D.

A native of Virginia, Kenneth W. Noe received his doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1990.  He is the Draughon Professor of Southern History Emeritus at Auburn University, and the author or editor of eight books, including most recently The Howling Storm: Weather, Climate, and the American Civil War (Baton Rouge, 2020).  It was a Pulitzer Prize entrant, a finalist for the Lincoln Prize, and co-winner of the Colonel Richard W. Ulbrich Memorial Book Award.  If you would like to learn more about Dr. Noe, check out this website: https://kennethwnoe.com/ 

This took place on Thursday, October 26, 2023.  This lecture was recorded.  Please click on this link The 2023 Smith Lecture presents The Howling Storm by Dr. Kenneth Noe to see the recorded lecture. 

Dr. Smith has actively promoted the importance of learning history from the first time he stepped onto Ohio Wesleyan's campus as a professor in 1950 to his current role as an emeritus professor.  Dr. Smith's remarkable legacy includes no fewer than 18 of his former students having continued their education through the doctoral level.  For all of his students, Dr. Smith succeeded in instilling in them a life long love of learning and history.  He remains a role model having published his book: Bishop McIlvaine, Slavery, Britain & the Civil War in 2014.  His former students created The Richard W. Smith Lecture in Civil War History in Dr. Smith's honor to educate students and the public about the Civil War.  This year is a special one as Dr. Smith will turn 100 a few short weeks after this year's lecture.  

Historical Interview with Dr. Smith

(shown at the October 26, 2023 Smith Lecture)