Voces Novae: Chapman University Historical Review, a student-run History journal which showcases the capstone papers of Wilkinson College History majors, has won third place in the Nash Award for best history student-run journal in the nation. Voces Novae has won numerous awards since its founding in the spring of 2009–including the national prize for Best Electronic Journal by the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society in 2012.

This year’s award is especially impressive, since the journal was judged in the graduate-level category, even though the journal is an undergraduate-only journal. This means that the journal competed with  journals run by Masters of Arts students at other institutions across the country.

“Serving as an Editor for Voces Novae was an enjoyable and rewarding experience,”commented Senior Editor Philip Goodrich (History & Political Science BA major, Secondary Education minor, ‘22). “Through the editing process, I was able to meet fellow History students and also read fascinating historical research. Being awarded third place in the Nash Journal Competition is a testament to the brilliant scholarship of our now-graduated history majors, the diligent work of our Editorial Board, and the commitment to student success from the faculty and staff in the History Department. I cannot wait to see the future historical work that comes out of Voces Novae.”

The mission of Voces Novae is to provide undergraduate students a forum to contribute original research to the body of historical knowledge, seeking to bring students and teachers together in intellectual dialogue with the goal of promoting and assisting historical research and analysis.

Once papers are collected from all graduating history seniors, they are read and ranked by an executive board of students. The board determines which papers are the best-fit for the e-journal, including most prepared for publication, and which provides unique and interesting scholarship.

The latest issue included pieces such as Tap Dance in Black and White: Race, Representation, and the Film Career of the Nicholas Brothers by Sydney Horner (History BA major ‘22), From the Ground Up: La Comunidad Israelita de El Salvador by Isabella Sainz-Portillo (History BA major ‘22), and Imperialist Barriers: Indian Women’s Contributions to the British Suffrage Movement by Alexandra Viencek (History BA major ‘22).

“I thank Philip Goodrich and Nat Pendergraft for their efforts and dedication,” said  Dr. Shira Klein, Professor of History and faculty advisor to Voces Novae, “and look forward to Tyler Drake and Haleluya Wondwosen’s work as senior editors this year. We’re so proud of you!”