By Jordan Beach
Dr. Kenneth Wheeler and the students in his local history course continue to represent the University academically, as their co-authored article published in “Georgia Historical Quarterly” in 2018 on Reinhardt College’s racial integration won the GHQ 2019 John C. Inscoe Award for the best article published.
“I am surprised and thrilled to hear the news that I and my students have been awarded the John Inscoe Award by the Georgia Historical Society for the best article to appear in the ‘Georgia Historical Quarterly’ in 2018,” said Wheeler, professor of history. “I’m so proud of my hard-working students. The award is a happy reminder of how talented our Reinhardt students are, and what a wonderful course we had together that led to the article.”
The award honors the legacy of Dr. John Inscoe, an editor of GHQ from 1989-2000, a professor at the University of Georgia and a mentor for historians in the South. The award presents the authors with a framed certificate and a $500 cash prize.
Wheeler previously co-authored articles published in GHQ in 2009 and 2013, however, this is the first time an article received an award.
“We were delighted to have that article accepted by and, after review by a number of historians, published in the ‘Georgia Historical Quarterly.’ Winning this award from the Georgia Historical Society is the cherry on top,” Wheeler said.
The publication and award are just several of many examples that showcases the benefits of Reinhardt University’s low student-professor ratio.
“In a multitude of ways, Reinhardt professors provide opportunities for our students to go above and beyond,” said Wheeler. “This article and the John Inscoe Award are just one manifestation of how our students seek excellent educational experiences at Reinhardt.”
Wheeler’s Interdisciplinary Studies course focused on local history and culture, bringing together a variety of studies, including history, creative writing, art and biology students. The article, “Black Student Experiences in the Racial Integration of Reinhardt College, 1966-1972,” required research that included interviewing some of Reinhardt’s first African-American students, and those interviews became the basis of the article on Waleska’s civil rights movement. Read more about the award-winning article here.
