History Professor Appointed Scholar in Residence at Prestigious Military College
The United States (U.S.) Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., has appointed a Duquesne history professor as its 2016 Harold Keith Johnson Chair of Military History for the 2016-2017 academic year.
Dr. Holly A. Mayer, associate professor of history in the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts, will be the Johnson Chair at the prestigious U.S. Army War College, which provides graduate-level instruction to military officers and civilian officials to prepare them for senior leadership assignments and responsibilities.
Established in 1978, the Johnson Chair acts as a scholar-in-residence program for visiting professors to teach and conduct research on military history. It is named for General Harold Keith Johnson, who served as chief of staff of the United States Army from 1964 to 1968.
“I was deeply honored to receive this award,” said Mayer. “Besides recognizing my work in and support of military history, the visiting professorship also offers me the chance to engage with students, staff and faculty who constantly deal with national and international strategic challenges.”
The Army War College expects holders of the Johnson Chair to contribute to the college’s core curriculum courses and teach an elective course. As part of the program, these scholars in residence also have the opportunity to pursue individual research and writing projects.
During her time at the Army War College, Mayer will teach senior-level military and government officers within the Department of National Security and Strategy. She will conduct a seminar titled Theory of War and Strategy this fall and an elective of her choice in spring 2017.
At Duquesne, Mayer teaches courses on early America; relationships between European, African and Native American peoples; gender roles and social issues; intellectual trends; and the development of American identity. Her research addresses late 18th century America with a particular focus on the American Revolution, civil-military relations and the evolution of American character and culture.
Currently, Mayer is working on a book manuscript titled Congress’s Own: The 2nd Canadian Regiment’s War for Independence.