YSU’s LAHSS conference showcases student research, invites public to attend

The 12th annual Valarie Waksmunski-Starr Memorial Conference on the Liberal Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences will take place April 9–10 at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor, 151 W. Wood St., and April 11 virtually.

More than 70 presenters will offer sessions on a variety of topics. All events are free and open to the public.

LAHSS-Con is a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary conference. Students from Youngstown State University, universities across Ohio and abroad as well as academic professionals will present original research, demonstrate its credibility, engage with the community and network with peers and professionals.

“There are very few universities that offer opportunities like this, for students to share their work with colleagues from within their university, across the state and around the world, at no cost to them or the audience,” said Amy Laurel Fluker, conference director and associate professor of history at YSU.

Paul Finkelman is the Shipka/Reeder keynote lecturer and will present a talk and lunch April 10 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Continuing YSU’s America 250 celebration events, Finkelman will speak on “Native American Rights, Race, Slavery and Religious Liberty: The Progressive Visions of the Northwest Ordinance.”

Finkelman is a U.S. historian specializing in legal history and constitutional law. He has authored more than 50 books, more than 200 articles and numerous op-eds. He has lectured at the United Nations, throughout the U.S. and in more than a dozen countries. He is a visiting professor of law at the University of Toledo College of Law. His work has been cited in six decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and in many appellate briefs.

This lecture series is sponsored by the Reeder Endowment in History and is in affiliation with YSU America250.

LAHSS-Con provides students with valuable opportunities for professional development. Participation in the conference allows students to strengthen communication skills and receive feedback on their work.

“We encourage the public to attend because it is important for students to have the experience of presenting their original research before an audience,” Fluker said. “We hope the community feels invested in YSU and our students. We welcome them to get an inside look at the interesting and important work being done.”

Prizes will be awarded to the best graduate and undergraduate presentations.

About LAHSS-Con 
The conference was formerly known as History across the Humanities. It is sponsored by the YSU History Program, the Alpha Gamma Beta Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the Reeder Endowment in History and the Darling Endowment in History.

The conference honors Valarie Waksmunski-Starr, a master’s student in YSU’s history program from 2013 to 2015. She studied intellectual and political history of China during the Spring and Autumn Warring States periods. During her time at YSU, Waksmunski-Starr was diagnosed with cancer and died June 29, 2015, shortly after completing her thesis. She is remembered fondly by faculty and all who knew her.