Kurt Hackemer named chair of USD Department of History
Hackemer currently serves as associate vice president of academic affairs and as a professor of history. His administrative experience is extensive at USD and includes serving as interim director of diversity from 2010-12; interim Registrar from 2011-12; associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, 2001-10; and acting chair, department of American Indian Studies from 2007-08. A member of the faculty at USD since 1996, Hackemer will replace Judith Sebesta, Ph.D., who will retire in May.
“Kurt’s commitment to education, his significant experience with history and the respect he has earned from colleagues and the community makes him a perfect fit to serve as chair of the Department of History,” stated Chuck Staben, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of South Dakota.
In addition to administration posts at USD, Hackemer has teaching experience in undergraduate and graduate education, and is the author of several articles and two books: “To Rescue My Native Land: The Civil War Letters of William T. Shepherd, First Illinois Light Artillery” and “The U.S. Navy and the Origins of the Military-Industrial Complex.” Prior to USD, he was a lecturer at Texas A&M University from 1993-96. He received a Ph.D. and M.A. in history from Texas A&M, and a B.A. in history from the University of Chicago.
A photo of Hackemer is available for download at www.usd.edu/press/news/images/releases/Kurt_Hackemer.jpg.