Past Events

Sir Michael Howard, one of the world's leading military historians, gave the keynote address at the 23rd Military History Seminar at University of North Texas on October 14, 2006. His topic was “War Among the Peoples” and his talk was a consideration of 21st century strategy and warfare.

In 1983, Dr. Alfred F. Hurley, then the relatively new Chancellor and President of UNT, initiated the annual Military History Seminar Series. Listed below is a survey of the topics and speakers for the first twenty such events in the Series.

A military historian, Dr. Hurley came to UNT as Vice President for Administrative Affairs in September1980, after completing a thirty-year career in the U.S. Air Force. Some nineteen of those years involved service as a History faculty member at the Air Force Academy, to include fourteen years as Permanent Professor and Head of the Department. Upon assuming that role, he supported the suggestion of a fellow faculty member to create in 1967 the annual, and five years later, bi-annual, Military History Symposia that have evolved into two and one half day events. The Twentieth Academy Symposium will quite appropriately focus in October 2003 on the historical implications of the Centennial celebration of the Wright Brothers first powered flight.

The strong interest in military history among several UNT History faculty and among Texas business and professional people during Dr. Hurley's first months following his appointment as Chancellor and President in February 1982, prompted him to start the Seminar Series in 1983.Sensitive to the work schedules of the potential audience, he chose a Saturday morning/early afternoon format. A well-recognized military historian begins each program followed by a discussion with the audience. After lunch, a retired or former officer or enlisted man offers his perspective on the topic, followed by another discussion with the audience that ends at 2:30 p.m.

In choosing topics and speakers, Chancellor Hurley consults with his many contacts among leading military historians and knowledgeable senior officers. Outstanding local sources have included military historian Dr. Calvin Christman of Cedar Valley Community College and retired Lieutenant General Charles Hamm, USAF.

One of the most noteworthy aspects of the series has been the high quality of audience participation. Virtually every speaker has acknowledged the stimulation such a well-informed audience provides. Importantly, this dimension seems to have figured in the audience's continuing growth past 150 business and professional people from throughout Texas.

The Amon Carter Foundation of Fort Worth, thanks to the help of its board member and regular Seminar attendee, Dr Bobby Brown , has stepped forward to help fund both the Series and a subvention to the UNT Press that will enable the publication of at least the first volume of Seminar papers. Also, but quite belatedly, each of the last three Seminars has been videotaped and archived.