Mission / History

John O'Sullivan Memorial Lecture:

In the spring of 2004, as a tribute to the late John O’Sullivan—professor of history who died in 2000, a group of senior citizen students at Florida Atlantic University initiated a memorial in his honor. Dr. O'Sullivan was the former chair of the History Department and had devoted his entire academic career to FAU. Thanks to the collective efforts of these students, a Memorial Fund was established that supports an annual lecture in Professor O’Sullivan’s memory.

The John O’Sullivan Memorial Lectureship Fund allows the Department of History to host a distinguished scholar in 20th Century American History to lecture to students, secondary school teachers, faculty and the public each fall semester. The lectures focus on topics relevant to Dr. O’Sullivan’s specialties, which include: World War II, Vietnam War, Nuclear Age, Peace, the Holocaust, Peace History, Oral History and Modern American Political and Diplomatic Affairs.

Mission of the Lectureship The mission of the John O’Sullivan Memorial Lectureship is to provide students, secondary school teachers, faculty, and public guests with exposure to a distinguished historian of 20th Century American history, whose lecture/presentation broadens and deepens our understanding of the major thematic and conceptual aspects of America’s modern history. Each year the department makes these lectures available on our website at: www.fau.edu/history. Information about the selection of the Distinguished Lecturer, the topic of the presentation, time and location of the presentation will be posted on the website.

About John O’Sullivan

John O’Sullivan received his Ph.D. in 1970 from Columbia University and came to Florida Atlantic University in 1971. John was a gifted teacher, scholar and colleague. Following his arrival at Florida Atlantic University, John received numerous research fellowships including ones from The American Philosophical Society, the American Historical Association, and the Sloan Foundation. His publications included From Volunteerism to Conscription: Congress and the Selective Service, 1940-1945 (1982), The Draft and Its Enemies (1974), American Economic History (1989) and We Have Just Begun Not to Fight: An Oral History of Conscientious Objectors in Civilian Public Service During World War II (co-authored with Heather Frazer, 1996). Before his death in 2000, John was working on a book project related to Medal of Honor recipients and another book project with Dr. Patricia Kollander, also an FAU faculty member and interim chair in the History Department, on a World War II veteran.

If you wish to make a contribution to the John O’Sullivan Memorial Lectureship Fund, please contact the chair of the History Department at history@fau.edu or 561-297-3840.