Jacob K. Friefeld, Ph.D., has been named the director of the Center for Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield starting Aug. 16, 2023. He comes to UIS from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield where he served as the Illinois and Midwest studies research historian.
As the director of the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies, Friefeld will lead efforts to advance research, education and public understanding of Abraham Lincoln's life, legacy and historical significance. Through education, research and outreach, the Center provides students, faculty, scholars and the public with opportunities to understand the life and times of the 16th president and his impact on the modern period.
鈥淚 am honored and excited to join the UIS community as the director of the Center for Lincoln Studies,鈥� Friefeld said. 鈥淟incoln was forged by his time in Springfield, and I look forward to working closely with the Springfield community, UIS faculty and students to ensure everyone has the opportunity to see themselves reflected in Lincoln鈥檚 legacy. I hope this center can grow into a place of interdisciplinary collaboration that contributes to the teaching mission of UIS.鈥�
Friefeld has made significant academic contributions through books, articles and professional conference presentations. Notably, his co-authored book 鈥淗omesteading the Plains: Toward a New History鈥� received critical acclaim and was recognized with the 2018 Nebraska Book Award for Nonfiction-History, as well as being selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title by the Association of College and Research Libraries. He has a new book, 鈥淭he First Migrants: How Black Homesteaders鈥� Quest for Land and Freedom Heralded America鈥檚 Great Migration,鈥� that is scheduled to be released in August 2023.
Apart from his research contributions, Friefeld has been actively involved in public history initiatives. He has led numerous exhibits and historical marker projects that highlight the contributions of African American homesteaders and other significant events in history. Moreover, Friefeld has conducted several lectures, workshops, and public programs to promote historical awareness and appreciation among diverse audiences.
Friefeld earned a doctorate in history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), where he served as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Center for Great Plains Studies. He was also the project manager for the UNL History Harvest, a community-centered digital public history project. Prior to this, he earned a master鈥檚 degree in history from Loyola University Chicago and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.
天美传媒 the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies:
The UIS Center for Lincoln Studies officially opened on Feb. 12, 2021, and serves as a hub for scholars, educators and history enthusiasts interested in Abraham Lincoln and his era. The Center offers research opportunities, educational programs and public engagement activities that promote a deeper understanding of Lincoln's life, his influence on American history, and his ongoing legacy.