This post is authored by the new Chair of the History Department, Dr. Casey Stark.

Taking on the role of Department Chair is quite a transition. Since officially assuming these responsibilities on July 1st, I have learned more than I ever anticipated. In many ways, I had the luxury of time to prepare, as the transition was decided more than a year in advance. My predecessor, Amílcar Challú, graciously continued in the role for an extra year, allowing me to take a sabbatical before stepping into the position.

Even during that sabbatical, the reality of the role began to set in. As the start date neared, I spent an increasing amount of time in meetings, completed a week of intensive onboarding in June, and was gradually looped into the departmental conversations necessary to hit the ground running. I am immensely grateful for the time and energy Amílcar dedicated to this department during his nine years as Chair, and specifically for the mentorship he provided to ensure this transition was as smooth as possible. 

I knew there would be a steep learning curve, and I was not wrong. This role challenges you in new and unexpected ways. It is one thing to be consulted on budget management or personnel issues; it is quite another to be the one ultimately responsible for them. Much of my first two months has been spent immersed in new programs, systems, and the finer details of university operations. My desk is now home to an impressive collection of journals, notebooks, and field guides used to record the constant stream of notes, thoughts, and plans for our future. 

Perhaps the most rewarding surprise has been the number of new people I have already met, both within BGSU and beyond. In early August, I attended a seminar for department chairs sponsored by the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) in New Orleans. One of the most clarifying takeaways from that experience was a framework I had not encountered before: the distinction between the Chair as Manager and the Chair as Leader. Both roles are essential, and understanding that distinction has already shaped how I approach my responsibilities. I also had the opportunity to connect with three other new chairs from our own College of Arts and Sciences, as well as chairs and deans from institutions across the country — each sharing their unique perspectives and challenges. 

The pace did not slow upon returning to Bowling Green. In the weeks that followed, I moved from one all-day retreat to the next — with the College of Arts and Sciences, then with Faculty Administrators from across the university, and finally hosting our own Department of History Fall Retreat at Otsego Park. It has been a whirlwind, but a meaningful one. 

We are in a period of significant change — in higher education, in the state of Ohio, and within our own department. Ultimately, I accepted this role because I wanted to have a positive influence where I could, especially for our faculty, staff, and students. I am deeply invested in the future of this department and its continued success, and I look forward to navigating these changes together. 

As an ancient historian, none of this is what a typical day once looked like for me. But this role has brought something unexpected and genuinely valuable: far greater contact with the broader community and the discipline as a whole. While that means a little less direct time with students, it also means I am in a position to support the faculty who guide their learning and intellectual growth every day — and that matters deeply to me. 

I am finalizing this post on the Friday before classes begin. Students are arriving on campus, moving into their residence halls, and filling the hallways with the particular energy that only the start of a new academic year brings. We are holding graduate student orientation and welcoming our newest undergraduate students into the History community. It is busy — wonderfully, unmistakably busy. This is one of, if not the, most exciting times of the year. 

So to our faculty, students, parents, alumni, and all friends of the History Department — here’s to a great start to the semester!