Gettysburg College, Bias In Academia & Scholarship

http://oldvirginiablog.blogspot.com/ ^ | 09/07/2012 | Richard Williams

[Davy Buck]

Does anyone really believe it's a stretch to suggest that academic history bloggers are also "motivated by 'culture war' dynamics that tended to conflate religious and political conservatives in responding to adversaries?"

[Joe 6-pack]

Sad to see the history department at my alma mater take this turn, but it almost seemed inevitable. When I went, the History Department and Civil War Institute were the crown jewels of the college. The Historical Methods Course, required of all undergrad history majors was one of the most feared and demanding courses on the campus. All of the history profs from my years there have retired and/or passed away; they were mostly all WWII vets. Admittedly the poli-sci department was a hot bed of leftists and there was little love lost between the two departments.

[Nifster]

And exactly what is your point??

[hinckley buzzard]

What I hear, Gettysberg is shrinking and barely surviving financially. There's a lot of that going around among progressive colleges, especially those who are derelict in keeping their founding faith. The old historic seminary building may well end up part of the Park sometime soon.

[Joe 6-pack]

It's sad too. It used to be a highly regarded institution. They've made some decisions over the years that have resulted in my sending tersely worded letters rather than alumni donations.

I'm pretty confident I'm not the only one.

[Col Frank Slade]

You are correct. I was there in 80’s and History Dept was top notch, Poli Sci infested with hard lefties who insulted Reagan at every opportunity.

Did you know Dr. Bruce Bugbee ?

[Joe 6-pack]

Yep. Dr. Bugbee became a good personal friend of mine; we took a number of trips down to DC museums on weekends, and he spoke at my commissioning. I was there from ‘87 to ‘91. Bruce passed away in the summer of ‘94.

[Col Frank Slade]

I took Dr. Bugbee’s Middle East History class. His knowledge of the region was incredible.

He would go to the Pentagon on weekends and return to class the next week with stories of the Iranian hostage crisis.

He warned us someday Iran would try to blocade the Strait.

[Joe 6-pack]

He used to joke about covering "everything from art to artillery" :-)

I double majored in History and Art History, and he had a profound interest in, and extensive knowledge of medieval art. I loved how he used to swagger about campus leaning forward with his arms swinging back and forth like he was going up a gangplank. I also remember how, if somebody would raise their hand in class in anything that vaguely resembled a nazi salute, he'd chide them about it and tell them, "we fought a war over that."

[Col Frank Slade]

Ha yes. Everyone thought he was a crackpot but he was a very brilliant man. Part of our fraternity initiation was at his castle home out near the battlefield.

Good times.

[Joe 6-pack]

Remember Basil Crapster? He retired my Sophomor year...

[Col Frank Slade]

Sure do, I never took a class with him but we had History majors who did. I took a class with Norman Forness also. I was a Poli Sci major with the likes of Borock, Bonneau, and Ken Mott.

Mott was the only moderate in the entire department.

He used to do a great JFK impersonation in class.

[Joe 6-pack]

Was D.G. Tannenbaum there when you were? He was another left-leaner. I had Wade Hook for a sociology class...he was (like Bugbee) a brilliant eccentric.

[Col Frank Slade]

Yes I took a course with Tannenbaum also. I remember “Dr. Hook” too. There were some real eccentrics there.

[Gennie]

No surprise about this, I can’t say I know much about the college per say, but I know that they heavily influence our school district and that there are 3 current/retired professors on our school board.

[Joe 6-pack]

The good ole days indeed. It’s a definite walk down memory lane hearing some of these names.

[Gennie]

Out of curiosity, did either of you remember an Elaine Jones? I believe she was an English professor, but is now retired and on our school board.

[Joe 6-pack]

Sorry...doesn’t ring any bells with me.

[Gennie]

That’s okay, I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask!

[Col Frank Slade]

Doesn’t sound familiar.

I was there ‘78-’82