History Department

Exploring the Past, Shaping the Future

Valpo’s History program equips students with strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of global events, helping them thrive across diverse careers. From examining major world movements to uncovering overlooked narratives, students gain a rich perspective on how history informs our present and guides our future.

First Things First

Let’s Explore

History Programs

About the Department

Why History at Valpo?

The nature of training in history can help you to excel in any and every field. It has specific relevance to work as a historical writer/researcher in government and business; as a museum curator or archivist; as a teacher or professor; as a government official or worker at local, regional, state, national, or international level (in archives, embassies, consulates, or information offices). Many graduates today choose law schools or international studies to pursue their history-based careers.

Explore Programs

Law School

History and political science have traditionally been the accepted majors for admissions to Law School. History offers three prized skills that makes a history major particularly attractive. First, so much of law involves researching precedents and having well-honed research techniques before arriving at Law School makes it that much easier. Second, writing skills are a prerequisite of law and history majors have had an enormous amount of experience writing. Third, law requires lawyers to look at the extenuating circumstances. Likewise, history teaches students to look behind the facts at bias, authorship, or cultural and historical particulars. This third point is why history is a worthwhile major for pre-law students.

Secondary Education

A growing number of history majors obtain teaching certificates. However many changes have been instituted that alter how students are certified to teach history. Therefore as a department we work closely with the education department and are committed to meeting state and nationwide accreditation criteria.

Graduate Studies

Some of our best students have gone on to the best programs in the United States and we believe through our early identification of gifted students the number of history majors who pursue graduate studies will continue to increase.

Other Careers

Recognizing incredible variety of job opportunities, we encourage majors to double major, add minors, or individualize their undergraduate degree to best suit their career goals. On the other hand, as a faculty we believe a history major is an excellent stand-alone major, for it embodies all the virtues of the best of a liberal arts education.

News & Stories

History Highlights

From Classroom to Courtroom: Ethan Fickle ’23 Wields History in Public Defense

“When I was a kid, people used to tell me I should be a lawyer because I argued too much,” says alumnus Ethan Fickle ’23. For a long time, it […]

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Holistic Education in Action: Roman Van Meter ’26 Blends History and French at Valpo

Roman Van Meter ’26 embodies what it means to be a Valparaiso University student: someone who refuses to be confined by traditional academic boundaries. The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native arrived […]

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Radiate Knowledge: Simeon Klepac ’25 Brings Hidden Histories to Light

For history major Simeon Klepac ’25, his time at Valparaiso University has been defined by discovery, storytelling, and an unwavering passion for public history. As a senior completing his capstone […]

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“The Dealer’s Cards: How Gary Sternberg Has Made the Best of Them”

On April 4, 2019, The American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS) published Professor Kevin Ostoyich’s newest article, “The Dealer’s Cards: How Gary Sternberg Has Made the Best of Them”, which tells the story of Shanghai refugee, Gary Sternberg.

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Engage, Express, and Explore Workshop 2019

Professor Kevin Ostoyich introduced the Engage, Explore, and Express Workshop to campus in 2016 to introduce students to the process of research. The workshop is intended to help students get involved and ask questions about the world around them.

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History Department

Dive Deeper

History Faculty

Department Resources

Alan Bloom Legacy Fund

On Oct. 9, 2013, Alan Bloom, one of Valparaiso University’s most beloved and influential professors, passed away unexpectedly. His colleagues in the history department have established the Alan Bloom Legacy […]

Experiential Learning