Written by: Anaya Parker
After more than six years as a professor at Southern Adventist University, Michael Weismeyer, chair of the History and Political Studies Department, will leave at the end of the semester to join Arizona State University’s history graduate program, he said in an interview with the Accent.
During his time at Southern, Weismeyer taught a variety of classes on U.S. history, for both upper and lower divisions, according to his Linkedin page. He has taught “US history in the colonial period, 19th century, 20th century, immigration and ethnic history, as well as European 20th century history, plus classes on US government and political economy.”
He has also been an advisor for students and the sponsor of the history club on campus.
Weismeyer said his departure was not fueled by dissatisfaction but rather personal and professional opportunities that were too compelling to pass up.
“It’s more pull factors than push factors,” he said. “I’ll be closer to family, and there’s a new opportunity for me as a professor for their history graduate program. In academia, job openings happen so rarely, especially for certain types of jobs.”
A native of Loma Linda, California, Weismeyer said his mother, now elderly, will be nearer to him once he moves to Arizona. That, coupled with the unique opportunity to teach graduate-level history courses, made the timing right despite the challenges of leaving Southern.
“This is not the ideal time for anyone to leave,” he said, of his decision to depart in the middle of the school year.“But I’m making the best of both sides.”
Among his proudest achievements is the introduction of game-based learning to Southern’s history courses. One such activity focused on the New York constitutional ratification debate. Others covered a 1300s plague in England, Bacon’s Rebellion in 1600 Virginia, and the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. He and Matt Tolbert, psychology professor and director of the Center for Learning Innovation and Research, have been working on a study about religiosity and game-playing.
“I went to a conference where we played games, and I brought that back to the department,” Weismeyer said. “It’s exciting to see how engaged students become when learning history in this way.”
Weismeyer also collaborated with the English Department to revamp the furniture on the third floor of Brock Hall, creating more study-friendly spaces for students. The new furniture, he noted, “is more used than before and helps students study better.”
“His classes were always engaging and made learning fun,” said CJ Jones, sophomore international development and political science major. “During our Connections class, he played games with us and provided meaningful insights. It’s going to be tough to adjust when he’s gone.”
“His classes were always engaging and made learning fun.”
Lisa Clark Diller, a professor and former chair of the History and Political Studies Department, had initially planned to take a sabbatical this semester. She stated in an interview with the Accent that she will delay her plans to help ease the transition during this significant period of change. Shannon Martin will become the next chair of the department after she completes her dissertation. Until then, Diller will serve as interim chair.
Diller acknowledged Weismeyer’s contributions to the department.
“He’s been outstanding at recruiting new majors, and his classes are incredibly popular,” Diller said. “His presence has had a huge impact on students, and many feel anxious about what’s next.”
Reflecting on the department’s resilience, Diller commented, “It’s always hard when faculty leave, but in our department, turnover isn’t unusual. This sense of loss shows just how important Dr. Weismeyer has been to both students and faculty.”
“I’ll be here for the rest of the year,” she said. “I’d be too stressed about what’s happening with the students to leave right now.”
When the time does come for her sabbatical, Diller will focus on writing a book about parental rights in 17th-century England, particularly in Catholic families. Her research explores how Catholic parents, often forced to send their children to boarding schools abroad to preserve their faith, faced emotional and legal challenges.
“It’s a story about family, faith and the struggle for parental rights,” she said. “These historical challenges have relevance today as we continue to navigate parental rights and freedoms in modern societies.”
In an email to students, Weismeyer expressed his deep gratitude for his time at Southern.
“Being in the classroom with you has been a great experience over the past several years,” he stated. “Even on the long days, working with students is what gives me energy to keep going.”
As the department prepares for his departure, history students will continue to have access to advising, and Weismeyer assured them that games will still be part of their learning experience.
“I think I’ve converted everyone to the value of playing games,” he said humorously.
