Foreword to the Fourteenth Volume

Welcome to the fourteenth volume of Ibid: A Student History Journal, published by the Eta Nu Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society at Texas Woman’s University. As always, Ibid. remains committed to building student confidence through conversational mentorship that experientially grows knowledge.

As the faculty advisor, I am honored to be a part of this nationally recognized, award-winning student journal. Ibid. has been awarded a prestigious Gerald Nash Journal Prize for each of the previous seven volumes. Additionally, the Eta Nu Chapter has been recognized as a “Best Chapter in the Nation” every year from 2013–2019 for its efforts to serve and engage the community, and to encourage student scholarship. It is a joy to work alongside such dedicated and talented students.

As in past years, a generous private endowment allows us to award two “Best Paper” prizes. Named for TWU Professor Emeritus Valentine J. Belfiglio, the Belfiglio Prize recognizes the very best in student research and writing. The winners this year are Paola Alonso and Caitlin Turbeville. In addition to these award-winning papers, the fourteenth volume also includes special departments focusing on The Continued Relevance of the Past and European History.

I am proud of the extraordinary commitment of the student and faculty editorial boards to the fourteenth volume, our second published during the Covid-19 pandemic. I would like to thank the members of the editorial boards, who continued to strive for excellence in the publication of our journal. I should also like to recognize the efforts of our student editors Cole Bates, Paola Alonso, and Caitlin Turbeville. Their hard work and dedication to this project is much appreciated.

This year, Ibid. is dedicated to those in our TWU community who experienced the loss of a loved one due to Covid-19. Even as we look forward to gathering together again, it is important to remember and honor those that will not be gathering with us. They are deeply loved and profoundly missed.

For fourteen years, Ibid. has shaped the development of historical scholars through collaborative relationships between students and faculty. The outstanding essays that follow demonstrate the strength of that tradition. It is with pleasure that I invite you to enjoy our fourteenth volume.

Aubri E. Thurmond 

Page last updated 4:33 PM, April 9, 2026