ESU Backup Insider

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., announced today that the history and geography departments will merge at the start of the spring 2015 semester in January in an effort to improve program and cost efficiencies. Under the new name, the department of history and geography, faculty from the newly merged department will continue to provide quality academic programs for our students while working with the university college to develop new concentrations within the interdisciplinary studies program.

“This merger marks an exciting synergy between two departments committed to what is best for our students,” noted President Welsh. “It is a union of two highly compatible departments who will combine their interests and expertise in ways that enhance the curricula. The new structure enables the geography department to maintain its disciplinary identity while creating an interdisciplinary synergy and cost efficiency necessary to be sustainable. The history department will also benefit from this merger as geography is an essential part of social studies education.”

According to Professor Don Dellipriscoli, chair of the history department, there is a new excitement about the merger and future possibilities for students and faculty in these two areas. “Over the past few months, the history and the geography departments have been discussing ways to enhance their programs,” said Dellipriscoli. “This initiative was faculty-driven. In becoming an umbrella department name, this will not be a total blending of these two fields of study. We will remain two very important and distinct disciplines. The merger is good for everyone, especially our students.”

“We are happy to be merging with history,” said Shawn Hu, professor and chair of the geography department. “Geography is interdisciplinary by nature. This new departmental structure will allow us to explore the numerous opportunities to work with departments throughout campus while retaining the departmental name.”

A ceremony and celebration of the merger is planned for the near future.