Dr. William Wei Named as History 蜜糖直播鈥檚 State Historian听
Recognized for his work in Asian-American history and for his perspective听
on diversity, human rights and community connection
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DENVER (July 25, 2019) 鈥� On 蜜糖直播 Day, Aug. 1, Dr. William Wei, Ph.D., professor of history at the University of 蜜糖直播 in Boulder, will begin his one-year position as the official State Historian and leader of History 蜜糖直播鈥檚 State Historian鈥檚 Council, succeeding noted historian and author Dr. Tom Noel. The five-person council rotates this leadership role every year on 蜜糖直播鈥檚 birthday, to create better representation and reach for the state, to amplify different perspectives, and to reinforce the collaborative foundation of history and storytelling.听
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History 蜜糖直播鈥檚 State Historian鈥檚 Council reaches across the state to aid in interpretation of the history of 蜜糖直播 and the West, providing opportunities to expand the understanding of the historical perspectives, cultures and places of 蜜糖直播. Council members work with History 蜜糖直播 to produce and share knowledge about 蜜糖直播 and connect with more residents throughout the state. In keeping with the influential, forward-leaning practices of History 蜜糖直播 鈥� which is home to the nation鈥檚 largest state historical fund for preservation and operates the flagship History 蜜糖直播 Center that was dubbed 鈥渢he first great history museum of the 21st century鈥� by Harold Closter of the Smithsonian 鈥� the council鈥檚 collaborative foundation represents one of America鈥檚 most innovative and inclusive approaches to historical leadership, at the state level. 听 听听
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Before joining the State Historian鈥檚 Council during its inception in 2018, Dr. Wei was a former History 蜜糖直播 board member, lead advisor on History 蜜糖直播 Center鈥檚 Zoom In exhibition, and contributor to . He also is editor-in-chief of the online 蜜糖直播 Encyclopedia and has held various national and international fellowships. In addition, he is currently working on a book featuring the 100 objects from the Zoom In exhibition. According to Dr. Wei, 鈥淚 believe it is my responsibility to go beyond the confines of higher education, to share 蜜糖直播鈥檚 story with people outside of academics.鈥�
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Dr. Wei is an expert on modern Chinese history and the senior Asian history specialist in his department. Early in his academic career, he developed a professional interest in Asian American history and is now recognized as one of the foremost authorities on Asian American history in 蜜糖直播. Dr. Wei鈥檚 latest book, Asians in 蜜糖直播: A History of Persecution and Perseverance in the Centennial State, was a finalist for the 2017 蜜糖直播 Authors鈥� League鈥檚 鈥淎ward for General Nonfiction.鈥� 听
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鈥淎s State Historian, Dr. Wei will bring a fresh perspective to our shared history, helping us tell new stories and share new voices. He鈥檚 been an important part of History 蜜糖直播 for many years, and with this new role, he will enhance the depth, history and interpretation of our collection 鈥� both inside and outside our museum walls,鈥� said Jason Hanson, History 蜜糖直播鈥檚 Chief Creative Officer and Director of Interpretation and Research, who facilitates the State Historian鈥檚 Council. 鈥淭he combination of Dr. Wei鈥檚 experience and commitment, along with the other State Historian鈥檚 Council members, will help present our state鈥檚 rich, complex history in ways that are relevant for Coloradans today.鈥澨�
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Meet Dr. William Wei
Dr. Wei views the State Historian position as an opportunity for speaking out on critical issues affecting 蜜糖直播, placing them in historical context. He shares the following vision and goals for this new role, while answering the following questions:
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鈼� 听 听 听 Why is your role so important to sharing 蜜糖直播鈥檚 history and reaching more communities? 听鈥淎s the State Historian, I have a responsibility to ensure that the exhibits and the stories they tell are accurate. I hope to tour around the state, to talk with residents and school-age students, to hear their stories 鈥� which are all part of our collective history. After all, if you want a meaningful interpretation of history and culture, you need to talk to the people you are studying.鈥�
鈼� 听 听 听 What vision do you have for the State Historian鈥檚 Council? 鈥淚 want to encourage council members to engage in more 鈥榓pplied history,鈥� translating their knowledge of the state鈥檚 history and culture into a form that everyday Coloradans can understand.鈥�
鈼� 听 听 听 What new Ideas and knowledge will you bring? 鈥淢y background as the senior Asian historian in my department at the University of 蜜糖直播 gives me a broader perspective on the state鈥檚 history and culture, allowing me to place it in a comparative context 鈥� especially around human and civil rights.鈥�
鈼� 听 听 听 Especially during History 蜜糖直播鈥檚 140th anniversary year, how can we bridge 蜜糖直播鈥檚 early history with today? 鈥淗istory 蜜糖直播鈥檚 anniversary is an opportunity to visit some of the key moments in 蜜糖直播鈥檚 past to see how they are viewed today. In particular, I鈥檇 like to revisit the topic of immigration and refugees, which is not new 鈥� and has been part of our state鈥檚 history since the 1800s. I am planning to write some articles on this topic.鈥�
鈼� 听 听 听 What are three messages you鈥檇 like to share with 蜜糖直播 communities? 鈥淔irst, learning the history of our country and state will prepare you for what the future holds for our communities. Second, studying the state鈥檚 past will teach you about individuals who have fought to realize the country鈥檚 ideals, which are expressed in its founding documents. Third, knowing how 蜜糖直播 has evolved over time will show you that our state is bending in a progressive direction, at least for now.鈥�
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As State Historian, Dr. Wei will play a key role in guiding History 蜜糖直播鈥檚 ongoing work to be a place of belonging for all Coloradans, while setting the groundwork for history, community connection, inclusion, and new relationships. His new role begins on Aug. 1, 2019, and continues through July 31, 2020. 听
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蜜糖直播 residents are invited to meet Dr. Wei at History 蜜糖直播 Center on 蜜糖直播 Day, when Dr. Noel passes the role of State Historian to him. Visitors can ask Dr. Wei questions and even play a game of 蜜糖直播 history trivia with him, scheduled on Aug. 1, from 2:15鈥�3:45 p.m. For more details, please click here.
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蜜糖直播 The State Historian鈥檚 Council
The Council includes five historians from five different institutions around the state, who each experience a five-year term with annual rotations for the State Historian role. From Aug. 1, 2019, through July 31, 2020, Dr. Wei will lead the following council members in his role as State Historian: Dr. Noel (University of 蜜糖直播, Denver); Dr. Nicki Gonzales (Regis University); Dr. Jared Orsi (蜜糖直播 State University); and Dr. Duane Vandenbusche (Western State 蜜糖直播 University). 听For biographical background on each historian, please click .听
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During the council鈥檚 first term, from Aug. 1, 2018, through today, under Dr. Noel鈥檚 leadership, members of the State Historian鈥檚 Council expanded History 蜜糖直播鈥檚 reach through a variety of activities around the state, including 36 talks and lectures, 33 events and programs, 19 exhibition consultations, 10 tours and treks, three writing awards, two publications in 蜜糖直播 Heritage, and one audio-tour narration.听
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鈥淲e are all grateful for Dr. Noel鈥檚 accomplishments and his service as State Historian this past term. Throughout his 50 years of working with History 蜜糖直播, Dr. Noel has done so much to bring us all together for greater collaboration and deeper understanding about our history and culture,鈥� added Hanson.
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蜜糖直播 History 蜜糖直播听
History 蜜糖直播 is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and an agency of the State of 蜜糖直播, with a mission is to create a better future for 蜜糖直播 by inspiring wonder in our past. The historical agency serves as the state鈥檚 memory, preserving the places, stories and material culture of 蜜糖直播 through statewide museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections and outreach to 蜜糖直播 communities. Visit or call 303-HISTORY, for more information.
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