Connections Across History and Culture

An Honored Legacy

James Murphy, PhD, director emeritus and founder of Villanova’s Irish Studies Program, was awarded an hon­orary Doctor of Literature from the National University of Ireland Galway, in recognition of his commitment to promoting Irish Studies globally and developing cultural and academic relations between Ireland and the United States.

Villanova's Irish Studies program flourished under Dr. Murphy’s leadership, initiating the Charles A. Heimbold, Jr. Chair of Irish Studies for an Irish writer and establishing the Villanova Center at NUI Galway. Elevated by donations during the Campaign, it became the Center for Irish Studies, offering courses in seven disciplines.

The son of Irish immigrant parents and one of Irish America’s Top Irish Americans, Dr. Murphy says his background shaped his connection to the country, especially the western part, and subtly led him to his academic career. “Ireland was always in the air of my growing up. I breathed in a world of brogues and ballads,” he says.

History Professor Wins Book Prize

Marc Gallicchio, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of History, was recently named a winner of the prestigious Bancroft Prize in American History and Diplomacy for his book, Implacable Foes: War in the Pacific, 1944–1945, co-authored with Waldo Heinrichs, PhD, professor emeritus at San Diego State University.

The Bancroft Prizes are awarded annually by the Trustees of Columbia University. Winning books are judged in terms of the scope, significance, depth of research and richness of interpretation they present in the areas of American history and diplomacy. Implacable Foes is Dr. Gallicchio’s fourth book exploring the War in the Pacific and its influence on the Cold War.

Looking to learn more about this era, particularly aspects of the war not often dramatized? Dr. Gallicchio recommends four of his favorite films depicting this era: The Americanization of Emily (1964), The Last Emperor (1987), Empire of the Sun (1987) and Letters From Iwo Jima (2006).