Message From the Chair
“Once more unto the breach, my friends, once more”, called Shakespeare to his players as their new semester began at the Globe in London—Oh yes, that was the context. Absolutely. ...And he called to history scholars at Kwantlen too—both students and profs. True, it was also in his historical play “Henry V”, but it was assuredly meant for us. Anyway, and on behalf of the entire department, welcome as we hurtle unto the breach of our own new semester here at Kwantlen, and a particularly warm welcome to the band of history students in our Minors and Majors programme. You, especially, are why we are here.
How things have changed! Ten years ago, were I asked whether we would offer BAs in history at Kwantlen; whether we would have a departmental space rivaling anything at the institution; and whether we would be a faculty of eight full-time plus invited sessionals teaching a growing group of serious and enthusiastic students, I would have shaken my head and muttered about naivety. Yet here we are, and our first graduates crossed the catwalk last spring, degrees in hand. Thus I am truly inspired by our new direction, and excited about our prospects.
Do check out the Kwantlen History Students’ Society (there’s a link to the KHSS on the department web site), do join in, do hang out in the ‘pod’ (and use the two computers designated for students), and feel a part of the happy band of fellow enthusiasts and scholars. Welcome!
.....or was Shakespeare referring to us in “Henry V” as: “We few, we happy few, we band of ruthless bastards!" No, must have been someone else...............
All the best with the new semester.
Thor Frohn-Nielsen
Catch even more departmental news and information in our Summer Newsletter
