Zuckerman Lectureship Commences with Distinguished Medical Historian

The inaugural Dr. Arnold Zuckerman Lectureship, created in memory of the long-time Truman professor of history, will take place at 7 p.m. March 23 in the Student Union Building Room 3200.

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Arnold Zuckerman

One of the nation’s foremost authorities on the history of science and medicine will keynote the Lectureship, which is open to the public.

Margaret Humphreys serves on the faculty at Duke University where she is the Josiah Charles Trent Professor of the History of Medicine, as well as a professor of history and associate professor of medicine. Her research and publications focus primarily on infectious disease in the U.S., especially in the South. Her current research explores the history of medicine during the American Civil War.

Humphreys has also published on the history of diabetes, public health ethics and colonial medicine. Her research has appeared in Isis, Bulletin of the History of Medicine, Literature and Medicine, Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, Social Science and Medicine, Public Health Reports and Environmental History.

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Margaret Humphreys

Her topic for the Zuckerman Lectureship will be “Intensely Human: The Health of Black Soldiers in the American Civil War,” which is also the title of her new book.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame, Humphreys has a master’s degree, two medical degrees and two Ph.D.s from Harvard.

Humphrey’s visit to Truman is being made possible by a substantial financial gift to the Bright Minds Bright Futures campaign by Judi Schweitzer, a graduate of the University and stepdaughter of Dr. Arnold Zuckerman.

Zuckerman joined the faculty at Truman in 1963 and retired in 1990, serving as professor of history. After his passing in 2008, a fund was established to create the Dr. Arnold Zuckerman Lectureship in History to commemorate his distinguished career as a scholar, research historian and dedicated teacher. The Lectureship will continue the tradition Zuckerman established by bringing guest lecturers to campus whose experience and expertise are relevant to the interests of the History Department at Truman. A preference will be given to speakers whose experience and expertise encompass medical history, a passion of Zuckerman’s.

Zuckerman was a member of the American Association for the History of Medicine; the American Society for Eighteenth-century Studies; and the American Association of University Professors. He earned undergraduate and master’s degrees from DePaul University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

Students remember Zuckerman as a professor who challenged them to think critically and raise questions. He made the study of history relevant and interesting by reminding students of the associative value of events, people and dates. The Zuckerman Lectureship is also designed to provide Truman students an opportunity to learn and interact with noted historians.

Schweitzer received a Bachelor of Science degree from Truman in 1989 and resides in Lake Forest, Calif. In 2006, she founded Schweitzer & Associates Inc., a strategic real estate adviser for investors, organizations, developers and builders for creating sustainable community development and green-building practices.
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