Timothy Westcott, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of History

Department of Social Sciences Chair

Lincoln College

Oxford University

Welcome to the Program of History web page at Park University.  Park University maintains, since its founding in 1875, a rich history of providing an outstanding education to traditional and non-traditional students.  The University has been a leader in educating women, international students, military personnel, and other minorities.  Commencing with members of the first class, female students have been an important aspect of our educational mission.  Our original mission "Faith et Labor" (Faith and Labor) was to prepare students for missionary service.  In 1942, Park College, now University, was instrumental in welcoming Nisei students from the Japanese-American internment camps to continue their education.

The program of history involves students in numerous activities related to the study of history and Park University.  The Phi Alpha Theta Chapter is extremely active in promoting opportunities for history and social studies majors to interact, serve the Park University and greater communities, and attend conferences as participants and observers.  I encourage you to explore further the program of history web page to encounter current majors, recent alumni, and view activities.  Continue to visit the web page for further updates.

Born and raised in northwest Iowa, I initially attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.  Unfortunately, college was not something I enjoyed so I did not return to Northwestern following my sophomore year.  I went into business, initially, then following a few years enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1980 and served in the Pacific theatre, western United States, and Kansas City until 1988.  During my military service, I had an opportunity to complete my education at Avila University with a BA in history and secondary education.  In 1988, I joined the faculty of Rockhurst High School, Kansas City.  In 1994, while teaching high school, I completed my MA in history at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and began teaching as an adjunct at Baker University in Overland Park, Kansas.  In 1999, I joined the administrative staff of Park University as the Campus Center Director for the Weekend and Evening College on the Parkville Campus.  While the Director, I continued to instruct evening courses, while completing my doctoral degree.  In 2002, I received a Doctor of Philosophy degree from The Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, Ohio in history.  In 2003, I served as Interim Dean of Undergraduate Students and in 2004, moved to teaching full time in the history program. 

My teaching interests represent a "renaissance" and my passion.  I have taught classes on both the undergraduate and graduate level in topics including the American Civil War, Western Civilization, American History surveys, women's history, geography, interdisciplinary studies, 1960s, First-Year Seminar, and Kansas City history.  I have taught courses in face-to-face, eight week accelerated and online modes of delivery.  I have developed numerous courses for Park University's School for Online Learning.  I have been recipient of Who's Who Among America's Teachers (2003 and 2005) and recipient Outstanding Faculty Award, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2005).

My research interests focus on the Underground Railroad in the Kansas and Nebraska Territories and State of Iowa; utopianism; World War I; Moneka Women's Rights Association; and Japanese-American internment.  I have attended the Oxford University Roundtable Conference (Oxford University, United Kingdom) and have received a Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Fellowship (New York City).  Additionally, I have presented papers at numerous conferences across the United States on the Underground Railroad, utopianism, and the Moneka Women's Rights Association.

Service to Park University includes coordinator for the Spencer Cave Black History Month Lecture Series and co-coordinator for the Dr. Jessie Bell Woodside Holt Women's History Month Lecture Series.  I serve as the faculty advisor for Park University's Phi Alpha Theta Chapter (Zeta Omicron).  I am a member on Park University's Faculty Senate.  I recently assumed the duties of Chair, Department of Social Sciences.  The Department of Social Sciences is a new department that encompasses the programs of political science, legal studies, anthropology, military science, social sciences, history, religion, philosophy, and peace studies.

My community service includes a member of the Board of Trustees, Liberty Memorial Association and the Education Committee, Northland Chamber of Commerce.

 I look forward to visiting with you on a campus visit or by email.  Please contact me directly if I may address questions concerning the program of history.

 My telephone number is:  816-584-6364

My email is:  tim.westcott@park.edu

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